Personality Test Histrionic Personality Disorder 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which treatment approach is considered most effective for Histrionic Personality Disorder?
- Antipsychotic medication as the primary intervention
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Psychotherapy, particularly psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches (Correct answer)
- Inpatient hospitalization as the standard of care
Correct answer: Psychotherapy, particularly psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches
Psychotherapy, including psychodynamic therapy and CBT, is the primary treatment for HPD, as there are no FDA-approved medications for the disorder itself.
Question 2: When differentiating Histrionic Personality Disorder from Borderline Personality Disorder, which feature is MORE characteristic of BPD?
- Attention-seeking behavior in social settings
- Theatrical and dramatic expression of emotion
- Self-destructive behavior and chronic feelings of emptiness (Correct answer)
- Using physical appearance to attract others' attention
Correct answer: Self-destructive behavior and chronic feelings of emptiness
Self-destructive behavior, chronic emptiness, and severe identity disturbance are hallmark features of BPD that are not primary features of HPD.
Question 3: People with Histrionic Personality Disorder are especially susceptible to being:
- Socially withdrawn and isolated from others
- Easily influenced by others or circumstances (highly suggestible) (Correct answer)
- Persistently delusional about their social status
- Rigidly adherent to rules and routines
Correct answer: Easily influenced by others or circumstances (highly suggestible)
High suggestibility — being easily influenced by others or by circumstances — is explicitly listed as a DSM-5 criterion for HPD.
Question 4: The dramatic behavior displayed by individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder to get their needs met is best understood as:
- A psychotic symptom requiring antipsychotic treatment
- Deliberate malingering for financial gain
- An often unconscious interpersonal strategy to gain attention (Correct answer)
- Intentional and fully calculated deception
Correct answer: An often unconscious interpersonal strategy to gain attention
The dramatic behavior in HPD is typically an unconscious interpersonal pattern developed over time rather than deliberate, calculated manipulation.
Question 5: Which comorbid condition is most commonly associated with Histrionic Personality Disorder?
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Depression and anxiety disorders (Correct answer)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Correct answer: Depression and anxiety disorders
Depression and anxiety disorders are the most frequently occurring comorbid conditions in individuals diagnosed with HPD.
Question 6: In terms of occupational functioning, individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder often:
- Thrive in isolated, highly detail-oriented work environments
- Struggle in any work environment due to paranoia
- Initially appear charming and capable but struggle with long-term reliability (Correct answer)
- Show a complete inability to maintain any form of employment
Correct answer: Initially appear charming and capable but struggle with long-term reliability
People with HPD may appear charming and talented initially but often have difficulty sustaining reliable performance due to emotional volatility and impulsivity.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a DSM-5 criterion for Histrionic Personality Disorder?
- Discomfort when not the center of attention
- Persistent fear of abandonment requiring others to take care of them (Correct answer)
- Considering relationships more intimate than they actually are
- Rapidly shifting and shallow emotional expression
Correct answer: Persistent fear of abandonment requiring others to take care of them
Persistent fear of abandonment requiring caretaking from others is a criterion for Dependent Personality Disorder, not Histrionic Personality Disorder.
Personality Test Histrionic Personality Disorder 3
Which treatment approach is considered most effective for Histrionic Personality Disorder?