Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition that often doesn’t get the same attention as other types of mental health conditions or dual diagnosis disorders. In fact, it is one of the more overlooked and misunderstood disorders, particularly in men.
Much like other mental health conditions, this is due largely to societal norms and stereotypes that impact men in a way that they don’t impact women. It isn’t anything to be ashamed of. If you are someone who may be suffering from Histrionic Personality Disorder, it’s important to learn how to recognize and manage symptoms so it’s possible to live a balanced life with this disorder.
What is Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)?
As the name implies, Histrionic Personality Disorder is a disorder that falls under the personality disorder classification. Histrionic Personality Disorder falls into the same category of personality disorder as Borderline, Narcissistic, and Antisocial Personality Disorders. These disorders all share similar traits in that they are all centered around dramatic, unpredictable, and emotional behaviors.
Officially recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), HPD is characterized by pervasive patterns of emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. This often begins in early adulthood. Someone with HPD may find themselves uncomfortable when they aren’t the center of attention. They may go to great, possibly even detrimental lengths in order to remedy that and make sure they are being noticed. They may resort to dramatic, seductive, or provocative behavior in order to get what they want.
Women are often stereotyped as being “more dramatic” than men, which may contribute to the fact that women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with HPD than men. However, men can and do suffer from HPD as well. Unfortunately, they often go untreated. This is just one of many injustices that contribute to the men’s mental health crisis.
Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder centers around a person’s obsession with being noticed. This often comes with a deep desire to be wanted and needed, sometimes to a detrimental or dangerous level.
As a result, someone suffering from HPD may display the following symptoms or traits:
- A constant need for attention
- Dramatic or over-the-top emotions
- Shallow or rapidly shifting emotions
- Inappropriately seductive behavior
- Easily influenced
- An excessive concern with appearance
- Overestimating the closeness of relationships
Because many of these traits are often chalked up to “boys will be boys,” it can make HPD more difficult to diagnose in men. Men might exhibit symptoms in ways that align with masculine stereotypes, which often leads to a proper diagnosis being overlooked. HPD is more frequently associated with women, so it may not even be seen as a potential diagnosis by a health care worker.
Similar to people with ADHD, men with HPD may also inherently work around the symptoms of their disorder or internalize them as inherent parts of their personality. Examples of this may include:
- Overemphasizing emotional independence while seeking validation through charm or dominance.
- Excessive sensitivity to perceived criticism, masked by bravado or anger.
- A focus on physical prowess or achievements to draw admiration.
- Engaging in flirtatious or seductive behavior that is culturally framed as charisma.
HPD’s Relationship with Addiction
As is the case with all mental health conditions, when left untreated, HPD may lead to the development of a substance abuse disorder or addiction. In the case of HPD in men specifically, they may turn to drugs or alcohol due to feelings of embarrassment, shame, or even an unwillingness to accept that they suffer from HPD and seek professional help.
This can present as:
- Using and abusing drugs and alcohol to amplify confidence in social settings.
- Developing an addiction to drugs (such as stimulants) or excessive exercise to enhance their physical appeal.
- Engaging in compulsive behaviors in order to maintain feelings of excitement and attention.
Co-occurring disorders, such as HPD and addiction, can create a seemingly never-ending cycle that can be hard to break. Substances or behaviors can seem like they are providing relief. But in reality, they are not helpful coping mechanisms and do nothing to help the actual disorder. They may aggravate symptoms or promote anxiety. As the symptoms get worse, the person needs more and more of the substance or behavior in order to make themselves feel a sense of relief again.
Treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder and Addiction
Due to this seemingly endless cycle of addiction, sobriety, and relapse, the most effective way to treat any type of co-occurring disorder is through dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment helps address and treat both the mental health condition and addiction simultaneously since they both played a key role in the development of the co-occurring disorder.
If you are suffering from HPD along with a substance use disorder, the first step is to undergo detoxification for the substance of abuse before any sort of dual diagnosis treatment can begin.
Detox is done in order to rid the body of all the harmful substances that are in it so that both the body and the brain can begin to heal. Due to the nature of detoxing, and the withdrawal symptoms often associated with the detox process, the safest, and most effective way to detox is to do so under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals.
You may choose to detox at a local medical facility, a dedicated detox center, or a treatment center that also offers specialized detox services such as Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. By detoxing under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals they can properly monitor your withdrawal symptoms and provide any sort of medications or supplements to help alleviate symptoms and make the process more comfortable.
Once detox has been completed, or in the event that it is not needed, then treatment can begin. In the case of Histrionic Personality Disorder specifically, psychotherapy is considered to be one of, if not the most effective form of therapy.
Some examples of psychotherapy used in treating HPD include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps individuals identify and reframe distorted thinking patterns, such as equating self-worth with external validation.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – Focuses on emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
- Psychodynamic Therapy – Explores past experiences and relationships to uncover unconscious drivers of attention-seeking behaviors.
Therapy can provide a much-needed safe space for men to open up in a way that they may have felt like they couldn’t in the past. This may be due to perceived societal expectations or other reasons. In turn, this can allow them to gain insight into their behaviors, learn coping mechanisms to better address the behaviors in a healthy manner, and build self-esteem in a more sustainable, internalized way.
Men with HPD can benefit from a support system just as much as women with this diagnosis. Group therapy is a great way to not only get that much-needed support system, but do so in a way surrounded by others who have gone through the same or similar situations.
Group therapy can encourage the development of new skills, including:
- Building authentic connections without relying on attention-seeking behaviors.
- Gaining perspective on how their actions impact others.
- Developing empathy and mutual support skills.
Just like with individual therapy, this format allows men to do all these things in a safe and supportive space where they don’t have to worry about the stereotypes or pressure to “be a man.”
Heal From Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders at Eagle Creek Recovery
Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder is a critical step toward recognizing the unique ways this condition can manifest in men and its potential overlap with other challenges, such as addiction. With the right support, men with HPD can learn to navigate their emotions and relationships in healthier ways, fostering genuine self-worth and connection.
At Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery we understand the importance of not just education, but the need for proper treatment. That’s why we specialize in helping men overcome addiction and mental health conditions, including Histrionic Personality Disorder.
Our treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each person who comes to our facility. Our holistic treatment approach focuses on:
- Comprehensive assessments to identify and address underlying conditions.
- Evidence-based therapies tailored to each individual’s needs.
- Supportive group environments that foster understanding and growth.
- Long-term recovery planning to help men build fulfilling, healthy lives.
Recovery is possible, and we’re here to help every step of the way. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and HPD, contact us today.
Clinical Director
Kendall Maloof is the clinical director at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has held multiple leadership roles before settling here at Eagle Creek. Kendall received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. Her career in mental and behavioral health began in 2014 when she took up internships in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She interned at multiple reputable companies, such as The Living Success Center and 449 Recovery in California.
In 2019, Kendall became the clinical director of Sunsets Recovery for Woman, a dual diagnosis program in southern California. Kendall is a natural leader. She has an incredible ability to problem solve and stay calm in any situation. Kendall never fails to show up when she is needed, and her calm demeanor makes her team and clients feel at ease. Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery is proud to have Kendall as our clinical director.
