Histrionic personality disorder is most characterized by which trait?

Histrionic personality disorder is most characterized by which trait?

• A. Stoic demeanor
• B. Fear of rejection
• C. Lack of empathy
• D. Emotional attention seeking

Answer: (D)

Histrionic personality disorder centers on a pattern of excessive emotionality and a strong need to be the center of attention. People with this presentation tend to act dramatic and theatrical, use physical appearance and attention-seeking behaviors to draw notice, and often believe relationships are more intimate than they actually are. That persistent drive for emotional attention is the hallmark, making expressive, attention-seeking behavior the best descriptor of the disorder. The other traits don’t fit as neatly. A stoic demeanor contradicts the characteristic emotional expressiveness. Fear of rejection aligns more with avoidance or dependent patterns, not the compulsive need to be noticed. A lack of empathy isn’t the defining feature here; while interactions may be self-focused to obtain attention, empathy can still be present.

Histrionic personality disorder centers on a pattern of excessive emotionality and a strong need to be the center of attention. People with this presentation tend to act dramatic and theatrical, use physical appearance and attention-seeking behaviors to draw notice, and often believe relationships are more intimate than they actually are. That persistent drive for emotional attention is the hallmark, making expressive, attention-seeking behavior the best descriptor of the disorder.

The other traits don’t fit as neatly. A stoic demeanor contradicts the characteristic emotional expressiveness. Fear of rejection aligns more with avoidance or dependent patterns, not the compulsive need to be noticed. A lack of empathy isn’t the defining feature here; while interactions may be self-focused to obtain attention, empathy can still be present.