TPS is characterized by drama and exaggerated, conspicuous behavior. Some people have interesting, engaging and/or flamboyant personalities and are therefore often in the spotlight. They do nothing but be themselves. However, if someone constantly needs confirmation and does everything to be and remain in the spotlight, TPS could well be the case.
Characteristics
According to the DSM, someone has a histrionic personality disorder when they meet four or more of the following criteria.
- Insecure when one is not the center of attention
- Inappropriate sexual, seductive and provocative behavior (attention seeking)
- Rapidly changing and superficial feelings
- Superficial way of speaking (no nuances and details)
- Using appearance to get attention
- Exaggerated, dramatic behavior with strong emotional expressions
- Easily influenced
- Views relationships as more intimate than they actually are
General
As far as is known, approximately 2 to 3 percent of the population suffers from a histrionic personality disorder. In psychiatric institutions this even rises to 10 to 15 percent. The majority are among women. As one gets older, the disorder often decreases in severity. People with TPS are often warm, outgoing and striking, but also oversensitive, exaggerated, challenging and assertive. They are certainly not boring people, but often too much of a good thing and therefore very tiring. In the past, TPS was also called a hysterical personality, emotions in particular are exaggerated while the person himself has a very superficial emotional life. Everything revolves around appearance and, especially in the sexual field, people often try to attract attention (seduction, flirting, provocative clothing). In general, women are looked down upon, they are seen as weak and helpless. Men are seen as powerful, strong and exciting, someone with TPD will often try to commit to these men. Behind this there is often the fear of being rejected by those same men or jealousy of the power of those men.
Drama is also a common way to get attention. Someone with TPD can go from one crisis to another because they become so addicted to excitement that they constantly take big risks.
The self-image is often very different from the appearance. They can come across as manipulative, controlling and self-confident while suffering from a major inferiority complex. They appear superficial and artificial, while they consider themselves very real and profound. The more they feel inadequate, the worse the symptoms become, sometimes even psychotic. Because they prefer to forget and push away negative things as quickly as possible, they do not learn from their mistakes and shortcomings. Yet they are not opposed to assistance, but are inclined to exaggerate their problems.
The disorder often decreases in severity as one gets older.
Relationships with other people
Because everything revolves around appearance and status, people with TPS prefer to only associate with people who, in their eyes, are important. Being seen or associated with people of prestige increases their self-confidence. They often see relationships with others as very intimate when in reality they are only superficial. Because they are quickly stimulated by new things, they have difficulty holding on to old things and are inclined to switch frequently. This way, a relationship doesn’t have much of a chance to deepen. Because they cannot pay much attention to facts and details, they also have difficulty with real intimacy. Exposing yourself means making yourself vulnerable and that is something someone with TPS certainly does not dare to do.
Although they themselves have a great need for compliments, they are not easily inclined to give them away, they hate it when someone else is in the spotlight. They look for highly visual work, preferably where everything revolves around them. You are unlikely to encounter someone with TPS in a quiet, inconspicuous workplace.
Relationship with a partner
Preference is given to a handsome, romantic and preferably rich man. A man of distinction. When they have found someone who meets their requirements, they can be turned off on the one hand (the man in question turns out to be a loser after all because he allowed himself to be captured) and on the other hand they can be very clingy and dependent (unsure whether they really like this man of status). can keep).
SPS compared to other personality disorders
Schizotypal Personality Disorders (STPS)
- TPS: excessive attention seeking
- STPS: attention is threatening
- Similarity: striking appearance
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- TPS: superficial feelings
- BPD: impulsive and violent behavior
- Agreement: seeking attention from others
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPS)
- TPS: is impressed and intimidated by male power
- ASPS: Fear is seen as weakness
- Similarity: little to no empathy and empathy
ASPS is often accompanied by a somatization disorder, the diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make because a lot of symptoms coincide with those of BPS and also ASPS and NPS.