At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we know that personality disorders can be misunderstood, especially when symptoms affect relationships and self-image. The **hpd mental disorder** is one such condition, defined by unstable emotions, a strong need for attention, and dramatic behavior in social settings.
Histrionic personality disorder: a differential diagnosis
Many people occasionally seek approval, but for those with HPD, this need is persistent and causes significant distress. These behaviors can be hard to identify, which is why a differential diagnosis is essential. This process rules out other mental health conditions, such as borderline personality disorder or somatic symptom disorder.
Risk factors for HPD may include genetics, early attachment issues, or environmental influences that shape its development during early adulthood. A person’s family history and upbringing also play a part, and family members are often affected by the resulting interpersonal challenges.
With trauma-informed care, individuals can gain insight into their behaviors and build emotional resilience. Symptoms can be improved with effective therapies that support long-term healing. At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we guide individuals toward greater stability, healthy personality changes, and more fulfilling relationships.
What is histrionic personality disorder (HPD)?
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality, dramatic behavior, and an overwhelming desire for attention. People with HPD often feel uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention and may act dramatically or use their physical appearance to gain approval.
This condition is classified as a Cluster B personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. Previously referred to as a DSM-IV personality disorder, HPD is now recognized for its overlapping features with other personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
While these behaviors may seem intentional, they often stem from unconscious emotional needs that developed during childhood or early adulthood. These needs are frequently influenced by genetic factors, child abuse, or inconsistent parenting.
Common signs and symptoms of histrionic personality disorder
People with HPD can appear outgoing, but they often struggle to form genuine connections. Despite their charm, their emotions may be shallow, and their self-esteem frequently relies on external validation rather than a stable internal sense of self.
Typical symptoms include:
- Needing to be the center of attention
- Shallow emotions that shift rapidly
- Speaking dramatically without much substance
- Relying on physical appearance to gain approval
- Being easily influenced by others or circumstances
- Viewing relationships as more intimate than they are
- Intense sensitivity to perceived criticism or rejection
- Occasional suicidal behaviors or emotional crises in response to conflict
Some individuals may also report physical symptoms without a clear medical cause, which are often linked to emotional distress.
These histrionic traits can significantly impact relationships, work, and daily life. A professional mental health evaluation is essential to diagnose Histrionic Personality Disorder and to distinguish it from other mental disorders that may share overlapping symptoms, such as functional neurological symptom disorder or somatic symptoms disorder.
At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we offer expert support to help individuals understand their behavior, build insight into emotional patterns, and move toward lasting change.
What risk factors and causes exist for histrionic personality disorder?
The development of histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is believed to result from a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental influences. Like many personality disorders, HPD does not have a single cause but rather reflects a complex interplay of factors shaping emotion, self-worth, and behavior.
Several contributing risk factors may include:
- A family history of HPD or other personality disorders, such as narcissistic or antisocial personality disorder
- Inconsistent parental reinforcement that alternated between over-praise and criticism, leaving a child unsure of how to earn affection
- Childhood trauma, emotional neglect, or early experiences that rewarded external validation instead of emotional depth
- Growing up in an environment that overemphasized appearance or dramatic behavior as a way to gain acceptance
- Cultural or societal factors that normalize attention-seeking behavior or being overly concerned with approval
These early life influences can teach children to associate their self-worth with how others respond to them. This may lead to traits like exaggerated emotions, overly seductive behavior, or being easily influenced in adulthood. Symptoms may overlap with or be misdiagnosed as other disorders, especially when needs are expressed physically.
Diagnosis and treatment must be handled by a trained mental health professional who can differentiate HPD from other personality disorders and create tailored care. Psychodynamic psychotherapy, in particular, may help individuals uncover the unconscious emotional patterns driving their behaviors, fostering a healthier self-concept and boundaries.
Histrionic personality disorder and substance abuse
For many individuals with histrionic personality disorder (HPD), challenges with impulse control and intense emotional reactions can increase the risk of using substances to cope. These patterns often begin in early adulthood and are tied to difficulties managing overwhelming emotions or maintaining healthy relationships.
Because HPD often involves dramatic emotional displays and rapidly shifting moods, it can contribute to unstable interpersonal dynamics and chronic dissatisfaction. These emotional highs and lows may lead some individuals to self-medicate using alcohol or drugs, which can complicate their mental health and increase the risk of dependency.
How substance abuse and HPD interact
- Emotional Escalation. Substances may be used to amplify or numb intense emotions, which can temporarily soothe feelings of emptiness or reinforce attention-seeking behaviors.
- Impulsivity. Individuals with HPD may act on impulse, especially in social situations, which increases the risk of substance misuse.
- Relationship Strain. Volatile romantic relationships and poor coping skills can lead to stress-induced substance use.
- Poor Boundaries. People with HPD may be easily influenced, making them more susceptible to peer pressure or environments where substance use is common.
Integrated treatment is essential
At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we recognize that treating co-occurring HPD and substance abuse requires a deeply compassionate and integrative approach. Our team addresses both the emotional dysregulation associated with personality disorders and the behavioral patterns that fuel substance use.
Our dual-diagnosis care includes:
- Training for impulse control and emotional regulation
- Integrated talk therapy and trauma-informed care
- Support for navigating relationships and social triggers
- Safe, supervised detox and evidence-based substance abuse treatment
By addressing the underlying emotional and psychological patterns behind both conditions, individuals can develop healthier coping mechanisms, restore self-worth, and move forward with a more stable and grounded sense of self.
Dual diagnosis care for histrionic personality disorder
At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we understand that treating histrionic personality disorder alongside a substance use disorder requires a thoughtful, individualized plan. Our dual diagnosis program is designed to address the emotional roots of HPD and the complexities of addiction recovery in one cohesive setting.
How we treat histrionic personality disorder and co-occurring addiction
Integrated psychotherapy
Therapy is central to healing from HPD and substance use. Our licensed clinicians use multiple evidence-based approaches to help clients:
- Build emotional awareness
- Reduce attention-seeking behaviors
- Develop healthier coping strategies
We incorporate:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to challenge exaggerated emotional responses and promote stable self-worth.
Psychodynamic therapy explores how early life experiences may fuel both substance use and HPD traits.
Group therapy with boundaries and support
Group settings offer a safe space to practice interpersonal skills, receive honest feedback, and build authentic connections without relying on dramatization. For many clients with HPD, this becomes a breakthrough space for healing.
Medication management
While there is no medication specifically for HPD, we can address co-occurring symptoms like anxiety or depression with appropriate prescriptions. Every plan is carefully monitored to support whole-person recovery.
Holistic and trauma-informed care
We recognize that unresolved trauma often underlies both HPD and addiction. That is why our care includes:
- Mindfulness and grounding strategies
- Emotion regulation tools from DBT
- Interpersonal effectiveness training
- Stress management techniques
By addressing the emotional, behavioral, and neurological components of both diagnoses, we empower our clients to create lasting change without needing to seek constant approval.
Recovery is possible
Living with histrionic personality disorder can feel isolating, but you are not alone. At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we believe every individual deserves compassionate care rooted in dignity and long-term healing. Our team of professionals specializes in helping individuals navigate personality disorders like HPD and borderline personality disorder.
Whether you are just beginning to seek help or have struggled for years, our evidence-based, trauma-informed approach can support your journey toward greater self-understanding and emotional balance.
If you or a loved one shows signs of histrionic personality disorder, contact us today. Together, we can explore your story, uncover your strengths, and build a personalized path toward healing.
Sources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Borderline personality disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM–5–TR)
- Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2023). Histrionic personality disorder: A review of the literature. StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
