In case of personality disorders, it is often difficult to distinguish between similar disorders. Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are two misunderstood disorders because of similar emotional symptoms and behavioral patterns. Nonetheless, to achieve proper diagnosis, adequate treatment, and lasting recovery, one needs to know their major differences.
In this post, we separate the main characteristics of HPD and BPD, their differences, and treatment possibilities, particularly in case you need help in a reputable behavioral health center like Deland Treatment Solutions.
What is Histrionic Personality Disorder?
The Histrionic Personality Disorder is a mental disorder that is known to lead to excessive attention-seeking behavior, emotional overreactions and whereby the affected individual strongly wishes to be noticed. HPD sufferers would feel out of place unless they are at the center of attraction and may act overdramatically or rather theatrically to achieve popular acceptance.
Common Symptoms of HPD:
- Constant approval and admiration seeking.
- Unprofessional seducing or enticing conduct.
- Vapid and shifting emotion.
- Being over anxious about appearance.
- Swayed by other people easily.
- Convinced that relationships are closer than they happen to be.
Individuals who possess HPD are likely to struggle in having a deeper involvement in meaningful relationships as their communication may be shallow or even egocentric. Their self-esteem is usually pegged on what other people think of them.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Border Personality Disorder is a severe disorder of emotional stability expressed by impulsivity and a very poor sense of self along with a terrible fear of desertion. BPD unlike HPD is more often characterized by self-harm and long-term lack of fulfillment or despair.
General Symptoms of BPD:
- Severe anxiety of being left behind be it in reality or imagination.
- Rocks and roll relationships.
- Rash behavior (shopping sprees, drugs, unsafe intercourse, etc.).
- The upset of identity and lack of a stable identity image.
- Persistent emptiness.
- Ineffective or severe anger.
- Self-harm activities or suicide threats/attempts.
Everyone with BPD sometimes has difficulty controlling their emotions and can even feel like they are on an emotional rollercoaster. There might also be unpredictability in their behavior since this makes it very hard to relate to them or to carry out the daily activities of life.
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Key Differences Between HPD and BPD
Although the two given disorders belong to the same cluster and might seem identical at first sight, there are several differences:
1. Emotional Expression
- HPD: Feelings are overdramatic and melodramatic. People with HPD are usually positive and they need excitement, but they can be superficial.
- BPD: Feelings are stronger and uncontrollable. The reactions can be disproportionate and can change almost immediately, varying between anger, sadness, and euphoria.
2. Relationship Patterns
- HPD: Resorts to flirting, charisma, or sexy behaviors to get attention and be approved. Relations can be superficial and can be wrongly interpreted to be very close, unlike what it is.
- BPD: Had extreme fears of rejection and abandonment, leading it to cling or repel others in most cases. Relationships are severe and conflict-relevant.
3. Self-Identity
- HPD: The feeling of self-worth is sensitive, and it thrives on the approval of others. They are usually insecure, even though they might seem confident.
- BPD: Possesses a discontinuous or volatile picture of the self. People can be confused about their person, ambitions, and ideals.
4. Impulsivity and Self-Harm
- HPD: May be impulsive in behaviour to capture attention, yet the self-harm is usually not present.
- BPD: Often has impulsive and self-harming tendencies like cutting, substance use, or binge eating- this is usually in the way of coping.
5. Fear of Abandonment
- HPD: Seeks attention without necessarily having to fear abandonment.
- BPD: Has an extreme, frequently unreasonable fear of being abandoned, which leads to much of the behavior in the disorder.
It is vital to be aware of such differences when focusing on possible ways of effective borderline personality disorder treatment or when it comes to histrionic personality disorder treatment, as any of the methods should be adapted to the peculiarities of the symptoms and demands of a particular person.
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Causes and Diagnosis
The two disorders are both thought to be caused by a genetically, environmentally and neurologically oriented series of factors.
Commonly shared Contributing Factors:
Genetics: Having personality disorders or other mental illnesses in the family history
Childhood Trauma: Lived experience of abuse, neglect, or premature loss of a caregiver
Parenting Style: Poor parenting, unstable parenting or overindulgent parenting
Neurobiology: Abnormal brain chemical and physical structures that control emotions and control of impulses
Diagnosis Process
The diagnosis of either of the two disorders (The Histrionic Personality Disorder or the Borderline Personality Disorder) involves an in-depth assessment by a licensed mental health practitioner. This can comprise:
- Total psychiatric assessment
- The interviews with the person and related relatives
- Application of standardized measurement instruments that were in line with DSM-5 criteria
Because of the overlapping of symptoms with other disorders e.g., bipolar, anxiety-related disorders or substance use-related disorders, proper diagnosis is needed to plan the correct treatment.
Treatment Options and Support at DeLand Treatment Solutions
We know that every person experiences the effects of the personality disorder differently at DeLand Treatment Solutions. We offer holistic, evidence-based, individualized treatment of people with Borderline Personality Disorder or Histrionic Personality Disorder.
1. Psychotherapy
Talk therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for both BPD and HPD.
For Borderline Personality Disorder:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Assists individuals in developing emotional controls, mindfulness, stress tolerance and social skills.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Aids in refuting negative thinking and rearranging ideas and patterns.
- Schema Therapy: It targets the longstanding beliefs by altering maladaptive patterns and adops styles that turned into childhood.
For Histrionic Personality Disorder:
- Psychodynamic Therapy: It investigates unconscious issues such as conflict and emotions.
- CBT: Aids the improvement of attention-seeking behaviors and leads to healthier self-esteem.
2. Medication
Although the treatment of HPD and BPD does not have any specifically designated medication, pharmacological assistance can be recommended to cope with the other symptoms combined with it:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood instability
- Impulsivity
These can either consist of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), mood stabilizers and or atypical antipsychotics, depending on the individual symptom profile.
3. Group and Family Therapy
The two disorders affect relationships, therefore, group therapy and family counseling are essential elements of care. These are the environments where people can find safety in developing empathy, improving communication, and restoring support networks.
4. Holistic and Supportive Therapies
Besides traditional talk therapy, integrative and experiential therapy provides solutions to aid whole-person healing at DeLand Treatment Solutions:
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Art and music therapy
- Recreational and adventure-based therapy
- Life skills coaching
The methods allow people to develop self-awareness and enhance emotional stability and resilience in the recovery process.
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Although Histrionic Personality Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder might have some similar features in between them, on the contrary, they can differ significantly in terms of motivation, emotional control and behavioral attitudes. These differences are the main factors that need to be understood during treatment and recovery.
