Abstract
Histrionic personality disorders have been described as among the most interesting, yet least understood, of the personality disorders (Halleck, 1967). Individuals with personality disorders employ maladaptive strategies in their social behavior (Adams, 1981; Lion, 1978; Millon, 1981; Turner & Hersen, 1981). Those with histrionic disorders are difficult to treat, both medically and psychologically, mainly because these very strategies interfere with successful intervention (Halleck, 1967; Moskovitz, 1976; Peele & Rubin, 1974; Schmidt & Messner, 1977). The current diagnostic criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 1980) allude to the problems encountered by these individuals in their daily lives and to the challenges to be met by those who would intervene. Use of this diagnosis requires that the patient suffer significant impairment in social and/or occupational functioning or significant subjective distress. Current and long-standing behaviors are characterized by at least three of the following: self-dramatization; incessant drawing of attention to self; craving for activity and excitement; overreaction to minor events; irrational, angry outbursts or tantrums.
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Brantley, P.J., Callon, E.B. (1985). Histrionic Personality. In: Turkat, I.D. (eds) Behavioral Case Formulation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3644-8_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3644-8_7
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