Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) :)

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval usually beginning in early adulthood. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious.

People with this disorder are usually able to function at a high level and can be successful socially and professionally. People with histrionic personality disorder usually have good social skills, but they tend to use these skills to manipulate other people and become the center of attention.They often fail to see their own personal situation realistically, instead tending to dramatize and exaggerate their difficulties. They may go through frequent job changes, as they become easily bored and have trouble dealing with frustration. Because they tend to crave novelty and excitement, they may place themselves in risky situations. All of these factors may lead to greater risk of developing depression.

The symptoms include:

Exhibitionist behavior.
Constant seeking of reassurance or approval.
Excessive dramatics with exaggerated displays of emotions.
Excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval.
Excessive concern with physical appearance.
A need to be the center of attention.
Low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification.
Rapidly shifting emotional states that may appear superficial or exaggerated to others.
Tendency to believe that relationships are more intimate than they actually are.
Making rash decisions.

A mnemonic that can be used to remember the criteria for histrionic personality disorder is PRAISE ME :

P - provocative (or seductive) behavior
R - relationships, considered more intimate than they are
A - attention, must be at center of
I - influenced easily
S - speech (style) - wants to impress, lacks detail
E - emotional lability, shallowness
M - make-up - physical appearance used to draw attention to self
E - exaggerated emotions - theatrical

Surprisingly , Director shankar himself admitted that the reason for him shifting to movies from diplomo engineering has been Histrionic personality diorder. And the result has been Sensational blockbusters like GENTLEMEN , INDIAN , APARICHITHUDU , BOYS , JEANS , SHIVAJI . . .




..........................................................
Karthik