Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatments

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition characterised by unstable and superficial emotions, shaky self-image, and dramatic behaviours. Like most personality disorders, living with HPD can be challenging, especially as individuals often do not receive a formal diagnosis. 

Because of this, this condition frequently goes untreated. Although individuals may face challenges in their daily life, they might not feel that it has anything to do with a mental health condition. 

Thus, the first step in supporting a loved one with HPD is to encourage them to seek the appropriate histrionic personality disorder treatment. If you think you might have histrionic personality disorder, it is important to acknowledge the symptoms and know that it is possible to manage the symptoms very well. But, figuring out the right approach to treating HPD can be confusing. Hence, we're here to provide you with everything you need to know about effective histrionic personality disorder treatment. 

Also read: 5 Common Myths About Psychiatry

Does psychotherapy help with Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Psychotherapy, whether in-person or online therapy, helps individuals understand their symptoms better. Using various psychological approaches, mental health experts help individuals understand their motivations, thoughts, and feelings associated with their behaviours.

While various approaches can help with HPD, we'll discuss the therapies used most commonly.

Supportive therapy

Individuals with HPD can benefit from supportive therapy as it is non-threatening, reassuring, and encouraging. With supportive therapy, individuals can build a trusting therapeutic relationship, where they feel heard, can release their emotions, and feel reassured that they can learn to cope with their mental health condition. 

Techniques used in this therapeutic approach help individuals build skills to cope with symptoms such as emotional distress and connect better with others. Self-care methods are also encouraged to help individuals transfer the skills learned during their session to the real world. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Using CBT techniques, individuals are encouraged to understand how they can change harmful behaviour that contributes to the symptoms of this disorder. With this technique, individuals understand how to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and learn skills to transform their negative thoughts into more realistic ones. 

Psychodynamic therapy

The psychodynamic approach aims to help you resolve underlying, unconscious conflicts. Using tools such as self-examination and self-reflection, this approach helps you understand your harmful thoughts and behaviour, and learn how to address them. 

Interpersonal therapy

Like cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, interpersonal therapy also helps you identify maladaptive patterns—specifically in your relationships. The skills you learn in this therapeutic approach help you learn how to connect better with others, either by identifying harmful thought patterns in relation to other people, or by learning new skills such as effective communication.

Also read: How Will Therapy and Psychiatry Benefit Me?

Does medication help with histrionic personality disorder?

Mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression often co-occur with personality disorders. Not only does this cause additional distress to the individual, but symptoms can also interfere with histrionic personality disorder treatment.

Hence, while there is no specific medication for histrionic personality disorder, your mental health expert may prescribe medication for symptoms related to anxiety, depression, or other co-occurring conditions. 

Antidepressants: Aid with depressive symptoms such as insomnia, impulsivity, self-harm behaviours, and emotional instability. Antidepressants also help with symptoms of anxiety. 

Mood stabilizers: With mood stabilizers, individuals can improve their impulse control and regulate emotions.

Antipsychotics: These drugs are often used to suppress or reduce exaggerated emotional responses. 

Medication is not always necessary and is prescribed only after keeping an individual's needs in mind. 

Also read: What To Expect From a Psychiatric Consultation

Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with HPD, it is important to remember that help and effective histrionic personality disorder treatment are available. While your personality disorder diagnosis doesn't have to define you, seeking help for harmful symptoms is crucial for your well-being. 

Sources:

1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-histrionic-personality-disorder-is-treated-5194017#:~:text=Mood%20stabilizers%3A%20These%20medications%20can,(valproate)%2C%20and%20lithium. 
2. https://psychcentral.com/disorders/histrionic-personality-disorder/treatment#lets-recap 
3. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/personality-disorders/histrionic-personality-disorder-treatment-does-it-work/   
4. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/histrionic-personality-disorder