Diagnosis of HPD Clinical criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [DSM-5]) For a diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder, patients must have A persistent pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking This pattern is shown by the presence of ≥ 5 of the following: Discomfort when they are not the center of attention Interaction with others that is inappropriately sexually seductive or provocative Rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions Consistent use of physical appearance to call attention to themselves Speech that is extremely impressionistic and vague Self-dramatization, theatricality, and extravagant expression of emotion Suggestibility (easily influenced by others or situations) Interpretation of relationships as more intimate than they are Also, symptoms must have begun by early adulthood.