citement and have a tendency to become bore d with their usual routine. These individuals
are often intolerant of, or frustrated by, situ ations that involve delayed gratification, and
their actions are often directed at obtaining immediate satisfac tion. Although they often ini-
tiate a job or project with great enthusiasm, their interest may lag quickly. Longer-term re-
lationships may be ne glected to make way for the ex citement of new relationships.
The actual risk of suicide is not known, bu t clinical experience suggests that individu-
als with this disorder are at in creased risk for suicidal gestur es and threats to get attention
and coerce better caregiving. Histrionic personality disorder has been associated with
higher rates of somatic symptom disorder, conversion disorder (functional neurological
symptom disorder), and major depressive disord er. Borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, and
dependent personality disorders often co-occur.
Prevalence
Data from the 2001–2002 National Epidemio logic Survey on Alcohol and Related Condi-
tions suggest a prevalence of histrionic personality of 1.84%.
Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues
Norms for interpersonal behavior, personal  appearance, and emotional expressiveness
vary widely across cultures, genders, and age groups. Before considering the various traits
(e.g., emotionality,  seductiveness, dramatic interperso nal style, novelty seeking, sociabil-
ity, charm, impressionability, a tendency to somatization) to be  evidence of histrionic per-
sonality disorder, it is impo rtant to evaluate whether they  cause clinically significant
impairment or distress. 
Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues
In clinical settings, this disorder has been di agnosed more frequently in females; however,