Narcissistic Personality Disorder 669
Differential Diagnosis
Other personality disorder s and personality traits. Other personality disorders may
be confused with histrionic personality disorder because they have certain features in
common. It is therefore important to distinguish among these disorders based on differ-
ences in their characteristic features. However, if an individual has personality features
that meet criteria for one or more personality disorders in addition to histrionic personal-
ity disorder, all can be diagnosed. Although  borderline personality disorder can also be
characterized by attention seeking, manipulati ve behavior, and rapidly shifting emotions,
it is distinguished by self-destructiveness, angry disruptions in close relationships, and
chronic feelings of deep emptiness and identi ty disturbance. Individuals with antisocial
personality disorder and histrionic personalit y disorder share a tend ency to be impulsive,
superficial, excitement seeking, reckless, seductive, and manipulative, but persons with
histrionic personality disorder tend to be mo re exaggerated in their emotions and do not
characteristically engage in antisocial behavi ors. Individuals with histrionic personality
disorder are manipulative to gain nurturance , whereas those with antisocial personality
disorder are manipulative to gain profit, powe r, or some other material gratification. Al-
though individuals with narcissistic personalit y disorder also crave attention from others,
they usually want praise for their “superiority,” whereas individuals with histrionic per-
sonality disorder are willing to be viewed as frag ile or dependent if this is instrumental in
getting attention. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder may exaggerate the
intimacy of their relationships with other pe ople, but they are more apt to emphasize the
“VIP” status or wealth of th eir friends. In dependent personality disorder, the individual