HPD

Have you ever heard about it?

In this generation where anyone can expose anything and practically anywhere they want in the web, the chances of diagnosing many, yes, MANY people with Histrionic Personality Disorder may not be surprising at all.

Is that enough to raise your curiosity about HPD?

Here's an interesting mnemonic I saw in Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histrionic_personality_disorder

A mnemonic that can be used to remember the characteristics of histrionic personality disorder is "PRAISE ME":

• Provocative (or seductive) behavior
• Relationships are considered more intimate than they actually are
• Attention-seeking
• Influenced easily
• Speech (style) wants to impress; lacks detail
• Emotional lability; shallowness
• Make-up; physical appearance is used to draw attention to self
• Exaggerated emotions; theatrical

Okay, when I read this mnemonic, I was instantly reminded of our inside bad joke "Hallelu-you" [We utter the phrase to a person who did something praise-worthy in a way that he/she is somewhat stealing the glory meant for God.] But in studying the disorder, I realized that the people we often call "attention-seekers" do not deserve to be ridiculed at all. Instead, they need our extra understanding because they might be unaware of their condition.

I am pretty sure you have encountered people like them. Look at the mnemonic once again. Do they look familiar? You might have seen them over the social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Formspring, Blogger, name it! The wide range of publicity and the internet's accessibility have contributed to the progression of such mental conditions. But think even deeper... While reading the characteristics of HPD, did it also sound like you are describing.... YOURSELF?

Whoa! Don't worry! ^_^ A person can only be diagnosed with a personality disorder if he/she manifests a number of symptoms as described in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). But if you feel that you might be experiencing this condition, you can always consult a psychologist for an evaluation. (I can refer you! ☺ Unfortunately, I can't provide you with professional consultation because I haven't got a license yet. Maybe after some time from now. ☺)