IJSP Number 2, 2020

58 • Being suggestible (easily influenced by others or by the circumstances); • Personal relationships are considered to be more intimate than what they actually are. Psychiatrist Goldberg, J., adds to the profile the following aspects: the person is seeking for constant approval and reassurance from others; is gullible and highly suggestible; extremely sensitive to criticism and disapproval; has a low level of tolerance to frustration; is bored by routines, and often leaves projects or activities unfinished, or lacks a regular attendance when engaging in various events/ activities; jumps into action without much thinking and tends to make rash decisions; is more self-centred than focused on the others’ needs; encounters problems in maintaining personal relationships, often appearing as superficial; may resort to extreme acts, such as suicide, in order to stay at the centre of attention [9]. From an integrative point of view, Sperry, L. identifies the portrait of a histrionic, by referring to a couple of indicators related to the trigger event, behavioural style, interpersonal style, affective style, attachment style, as well as in connection to an optimum diagnosis criterion similar to the specific strong feeling of unease when not in the centre of attention. According to the author, the trigger event is in the relationship to the others, especially to the opposite sex. The behavioural style is dramatic, excessively expressing, with a changing disposition, whereas the interpersonal style is characterised by exhibitionism, a manipulative attitude and lack of empathy. As far as their cognitive style goes, the HPD person is context-dependent, non-analytical and suggestible. Their affective style is described by emotional exaggeration, impulsivity, fits of rage and emotional shallowness. The attachment style is anxious-preoccupied. An HPD’s person self-perception is based on the need to be observed and in connection to the outer world, the need to be recognised as being sensitive and worthy of special treatment. These needs stem from emotional deprivation and relational deficit in a maladaptive framework. Early life history is characterised by a parental injunction of the following type: “You shall receive my attention when you do what I want” [10]. When referring to the line between health and pathology, Len Sperry delineates between a histrionic personality style and respectively, the histrionic personality disorder. Hence, according to this author, those who have a histrionic personality style are characterised by charm and a preoccupation for fashion and accessories (allowing them to always be adequately dressed for the actual occasion). They adore receiving compliments and being at the centre of attention, they enjoy having fun and socializing a lot, they are usually effusive, especially at an emotional level, they are affectionate as well as a little impulsive, but manage to postpone their needs gratification. Their speech style is global and specific and as a rule, their behaviour denotes an adequacy to the situation. Unlike in the case of the histrionic personality style, the pathologic histrionic person gets remarked by forever seeking encouragement, praise and approval; they are sexually