Belle De Jour: A Case of Hysteria

Abstract

Introduction

Histrionic Personality Disorder is one of the most common personality disorders diagnosed in Psychiatry. This disorder has been known to be present in more than 40% of patients. There is also a high tendency for those diagnosed with this disorder to be female.

Objectives

The case is to show all the difficulties caused by this pathology, differencial diagnosis with other personality disorders, groups of characteristics from different clusters and also, complications produced in daily routine.

Methods

The purpose is to study a clinical case of a 27-year-old woman, with a degree in journalism, who began with a depressive episode after a failed relationship. After being diagnosed of infertility, she debuted with dissociative episodes and somatization symptoms. After that, she suffered several depressive episodes. At the moment, all the clinical symptoms support the diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder.

Results

Histrionic Personality Disorder can be found in the cluster B group of personality disorders. They often present in an overly dramatic, erratic or emotional manner. They may fulfil their need for attention through speech and behaviour that draws one's focus of attention toward themselves, and also demanding and manipulative in interpersonal relationships. There are high comorbidity rates in those who suffer from HPD with other diagnoses.

Conclusions

Histrionic Personality Disorder appears to be one of the least threatening diagnosis among personality disorders as those affected are high functioning and do not seek relief for the disorder itself. There is also very little research on HPD which makes treatment options limitless.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.