Personality Test Histrionic Personality Disorder 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is primarily characterized by which of the following?
- Persistent pattern of grandiosity and lack of empathy
- Pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior (Correct answer)
- Chronic feelings of emptiness and unstable identity
- Detachment from social relationships and restricted emotional expression
Correct answer: Pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior
HPD is defined by a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking beginning in early adulthood, per DSM-5.
Question 2: Histrionic Personality Disorder is classified in which cluster of personality disorders in the DSM-5?
- Cluster A (odd/eccentric)
- Cluster B (dramatic/emotional/erratic) (Correct answer)
- Cluster C (anxious/fearful)
- Cluster D (psychotic spectrum)
Correct answer: Cluster B (dramatic/emotional/erratic)
HPD belongs to Cluster B alongside Antisocial, Borderline, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders.
Question 3: According to the DSM-5, how many of the eight diagnostic criteria must be met for a diagnosis of Histrionic Personality Disorder?
- At least 3
- At least 4
- At least 5 (Correct answer)
- At least 6
Correct answer: At least 5
DSM-5 requires that at least 5 of the 8 listed criteria be present for a valid HPD diagnosis.
Question 4: Which of the following is a key diagnostic criterion for Histrionic Personality Disorder?
- Recurrent suicidal behavior and self-mutilation
- Use of physical appearance to draw attention to oneself (Correct answer)
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
- Suspiciousness and paranoid ideation
Correct answer: Use of physical appearance to draw attention to oneself
Consistently using physical appearance to draw attention to oneself is one of the eight DSM-5 criteria for HPD.
Question 5: A person with Histrionic Personality Disorder typically expresses emotion in which manner?
- In a flat, blunted, and unexpressive way
- In a rapidly shifting and shallow manner (Correct answer)
- In a deeply internalized but consistently hidden manner
- In a stable and highly predictable pattern
Correct answer: In a rapidly shifting and shallow manner
Rapidly shifting and shallow emotional expression is a hallmark feature of HPD noted in DSM-5.
Question 6: Which personality disorder most commonly co-occurs with Histrionic Personality Disorder?
- Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder (Correct answer)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Correct answer: Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline PD has the highest comorbidity with HPD, sharing features like emotional dysregulation and attention-seeking behavior.
Question 7: Histrionic Personality Disorder is estimated to affect approximately what percentage of the general population?
- 0.1–0.5%
- 1–3% (Correct answer)
- 5–8%
- 10–12%
Correct answer: 1–3%
HPD is estimated to affect approximately 1–3% of the general population, making it relatively uncommon.
Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is primarily characterized by which of the following?