Histrionic Personality Disorder 667
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria 301.50 (F60.4)
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adult-
hood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention.
2. Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or
provocative behavior.
3. Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions.
4. Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self.
5. Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail.
6. Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion.
7. Is suggestible (i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances).
8. Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.
Diagnostic Features
The essential feature of histrionic personalit y disorder is pervasiv e and excessive emotion-
ality and attention-seeking behavior. This pattern begins by early adulthood and is pres-
ent in a variety of contexts.
Individuals with histrionic personality diso rder are uncomfortabl e or feel unappreci-
ated when they are not the center of attentio n (Criterion 1). Often lively and dramatic, they
tend to draw attention to themselves and ma y initially charm new acquaintances by their
enthusiasm, apparent openness, or flirtatiousness. These qua lities wear thin, however, as
these individuals continually demand to be th e center of attention. They commandeer the
role of “the life of the party.” If they are not the center of attention, they may do something