Surviving Histrionic Narcissism: Understanding the Signs and Strategies

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Understanding Histrionic Narcissism: Signs and Symptoms

Hello there! Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who seems to constantly crave attention and drama? Someone who always has to be the center of attention?

If your answer is yes, then you might have dated someone with histrionic narcissism. What is Histrionic Narcissism?

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental condition that falls under cluster B personality disorders, also known as dramatic personality disorders. People with HPD have a consistent pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

They thrive on being the center of attention and can sometimes be described as “drama queens.”

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), on the other hand, is a mental condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a constant need for admiration and attention. People with NPD can be arrogant and entitled and are often more concerned with their own needs than those of others.

When these two disorders are combined, they create a histrionic narcissistic personality disorder. It’s important to note that not all people with HPD have NPD and not all people with NPD have HPD.

However, when these two disorders coexist, it creates a more severe and intense personality disorder.

Telltale Histrionic Personality Traits

People with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder often display attention-seeking behavior, provocative actions, and rapid changes in emotion. They may have difficulty showing emotions and may be fixated on their outward appearance.

They often use speech lacking in detail and exhibit theatrical behavior. They may be easily suggestible and may display silly behavior.

People with this disorder may also perceive a high degree of intimacy in relationships, even if it’s not there.

Histrionic Narcissistic Personality in Relationships

People with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder can display manipulative and dramatic behavior in relationships. They may play the victim and use guilt trips to get what they want.

They may also exhibit a sense of entitlement and effort to be the center of attention, often with dramatic displays of emotion.

Women with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder are more likely to attempt suicide as a coping mechanism.

They may also engage in cheating behavior and sexual promiscuity as a means of seeking admiration and external validation. However, they may quickly become bored in relationships, lacking emotional connections and genuine intimacy.

These relationships are often one-sided, with the person with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder seeking constant attention and admiration.

Other signs of histrionic narcissistic personality disorder in relationships include fake behavior, extreme sensitivity, and constant disagreements.

These behaviors may lead to shallow relationships with a lack of authentic connection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, people with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder exhibit attention-seeking behavior, rapid changes in emotion, and theatrical behavior. When dealing with someone who has this personality disorder, it is essential to set boundaries and recognize manipulative behavior.

It’s also necessary to realize that these people often thrive on drama and attention, and it’s best to avoid engaging with them in conflict. Remember to take care of yourself and assertively communicate your needs in the relationship.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has histrionic narcissistic personality disorder, seek the help of a mental health professional. With the right treatment, those with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder can learn to manage their symptoms and build healthy, authentic relationships.

Differences Between

Histrionic Personality Disorder and

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

While both histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) involve excessive attention-seeking behavior, there are some important differences between the two conditions. Understanding these differences can help in identifying and properly treating the disorders.

Overview of Disorders

HPD is characterized by a consistent pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. People with HPD often use their physical appearance to draw attention to themselves and may be overly theatrical or dramatic.

They have a need for constant reassurance and affirmation from others and may engage in promiscuous behavior. NPD, on the other hand, is a condition in which individuals have an exaggerated sense of their own importance and superiority.

They often expect others to admire and praise them and can be extremely sensitive to criticism. They may lack empathy and be unwilling to recognize the feelings and perspectives of others.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

In individuals with HPD, a need for attention and a lack of self-worth lead to excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. These behaviors are often exaggerated and highly theatrical.

People with HPD may change their physical appearance frequently to draw attention to themselves. Women with HPD may be sexually provocative and engage in promiscuous behavior.

They often crave reassurance and approval from others, as their self-esteem is tied to external validation. This need for attention can lead them to be dramatic in their everyday life, often becoming upset or angry at small things.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Individuals with NPD have an inflated sense of self-importance and a need for admiration and praise from others. They often believe themselves to be superior to others and have a sense of entitlement.

They may lack empathy and disregard the feelings and needs of others. People with NPD may seek power and control over others.

They are often sensitive to criticism and may respond with anger, aggression, or belittling others.

Strategies to Improve Relationships with Histrionic Narcissists

When in a relationship with someone with histrionic narcissistic personality disorder, it can be challenging to maintain healthy communication and manage conflicts. Below are some strategies that can be helpful in improving relationships with histrionic narcissists.

Couples Counseling

Couples counseling can be a valuable tool in managing conflicts and improving communication in a relationship with a histrionic narcissist. A therapist can help both parties to identify negative patterns of communication and behaviors that are damaging to the relationship.

They can also provide strategies for managing conflict and improving communication, helping both partners to feel heard and understood.

Save My Marriage Course

Another option for improving relationships with histrionic narcissists is to enroll in a Save My Marriage course. These courses provide education and resources for couples who are struggling with unhealthy behaviors in their relationships.

Courses can help couples to understand the underlying issues that contribute to relationship problems and provide strategies for rebuilding trust, communication, and intimacy. In conclusion, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder share some similarities in their attention-seeking behavior, but there are also important differences in the way they present.

It is essential to recognize these differences when seeking treatment and support for individuals with these conditions. Strategies such as couples counseling and Save My Marriage courses can be helpful in improving relationships with histrionic narcissists, managing conflicts, and rebuilding trust.

In conclusion, understanding histrionic narcissism is vital in identifying and properly treating the disorder. Individuals with histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have a consistent pattern of excessive attention-seeking behavior.

People with HPD often use their physical appearance to draw attention to themselves and may be overly theatrical or dramatic, while individuals with NPD have an exaggerated sense of their own importance and superiority, often lacking empathy. Strategies such as couples counseling and Save My Marriage courses can be helpful in managing conflicts, rebuilding trust, and improving relationships with histrionic narcissists.

By recognizing the differences between the conditions and utilizing effective treatment options to address them, people with histrionic narcissism can learn to manage their symptoms and build healthy, authentic relationships.

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