IJSP Number 2, 2020

57 and relational level. In other words, a healthy personality represents a reservoir of autonomy ensuring psychical equilibrium. Literature offers studies that deal with a particular category called “personality disorders”. These represent “patterns, sates or deeply entranced and durable behaviour models that manifest as inflexible reactions to a large variety of personal and social situations... extreme or significant deviations from the way in which the average individual from a given culture thinks, feels and (especially) relates to the others.” (ICD-10, 2016, p. 329) The histrionic personality disorder belongs to the cluster B category of dramatic disorders, along with antisocial, borderline and narcissistic disorders. In the past, this type of disorder was called hysterical personality or hysterical neurosis. The main characteristics associated to this disorder include exaggerated emotional reactions, theatrical behaviour, sexual seduction behaviour, demonstrative, impressionistic behaviour, with the HPD person being provocative with the purpose of seeking the other permanent attention. According to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems ICD-10 the histrionic personality disorder is characterised by a pattern including the following manifestations [4]: • Self-dramatization, theatrical expressivity, exaggerated emotions; • Easily influenced by others’ suggestions; • Emotional liability, shallowness; • Seeking risky situations, longing for approval and being at the centre of attention; • Inappropriate seduction, in physical appearance of at the behaviour level; • Preoccupation for physical attraction; • Possibly manifesting egocentrism and self-indulgence; • Excessive need for approval and high need for attention; • Persistent manipulative behaviour in order to achieve own needs. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5, histrionic personality is described in terms of disorder when there is “a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts” and if such is the case, a minimum of five of the following diagnosis criteria should be met [8]: • The HPD person is uncomfortable in situations in which they are not the centre of attention; • Relationships with the others are characterised by inappropriate sexually seductive behaviour; • Emotional liability; • Speech style is excessively impressionistic and lacks details; • Use of the physical aspect in order to get attention; • The person is observed through self-dramatization, theatricality and excessive emotional expression;