About1% of teenagers have Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). For teens with HPD, life can feel like an endless pursuit of attention and validation. This may be signified by intense emotional highs and lows beyond typical adolescent behavior.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we provide targeted support for teens with HPD, helping them build emotional balance, self-confidence, and genuine relationships. This guide will discuss the key symptoms of teen HPD and explore treatment options. We will also discuss the role of Nexus Teen Academy in guiding teens toward a more stable, fulfilling life and how our teen mental health treatment center in Arizona can help.
What is Teen Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Teen Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition that affects adolescents. It is characterized by attention-seeking behavior, being too emotional, and always craving attention and validation from others. Teenagers with HPD are likely to have low self-worth as they consider themselves worthy based on the amount of attention they garner.
It is not unusual to confuse teen HPD with teen egocentrism, as they have almost the same symptoms and signs. The major difference is unlike egocentrism, where teenagers are preoccupied with themselves, teen HPD often pushes teenagers to be theatrical when they are not getting the attention they desire. HPD is relatively rare, and according to research, it only affectsan estimated 1% of the population.
Common Symptoms of HPD
Some of the behaviors to distinguish whether your teenagers have HPD include:
The constant need for validation: Your teenager always wanting to be the center of attention can be a potential sign of HPD. You may want to check their behavior to see if they sulk or get dramatic when they go unnoticed.
Theatrical behavior: Teenagers speaking enthusiastically and overly expressively may be a sign of HPD. They may exaggerate their emotions, gestures, and speech for recognition.
Extreme mood swings: A teenager’s emotions may appear shallow and change quickly. They may express that they do not take things to heart or are unaffected by the turn of events.
Seductive behavior: Teenagers may use their appearance to gain attention. They may start talking flirtatiously, sending signals that they want to be noticed. They may tweak their appearances or dress provocatively to appeal to the opposite gender.
Easily influenced by others: Teenagers with HPD are highly suggestible and easily influenced by others, which can be caused by peer pressure. This may lead them to change their opinions or adopt new behaviors to fit in.
Skewed perception of relationships: Teens with HPD may think their relationships with others are more intimate than they are. This can lead to misunderstanding when they realize the feelings aren’t mutual or reciprocated.
Trouble talking: Their conversations may be overly vague, with few specific details. If your teenager’s behavior checks two or more of these signs, you should consider seeing a professional. At Nexus, we encourage early intervention as it improves outcomes and promotes long-term stability.
Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment
Teen HPD is not treatable but can be managed by evidence-based therapeutic practices. If your teenagers exhibit excessive theatrical behaviors, it may be a good idea to have them checked if it is interfering with various aspects of life. Upon admission to a teen residential treatment center, they will be expected to go through a series of tests to determine whether they have HPD or different mood disorders. After diagnosis, your teenager may be enrolled in various forms of therapy and get prescribed medication.
Therapy & Counseling
Therapy and counseling are highly effective ways to treat teen HPD. Beneficial forms of psychotherapy include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps teenagers recognize and shift their distorted thought patterns. Teenagers are reminded that their values and self-worth do not stem from outside validation but from within. During CBT, teenagers are taught how to manage impulsive and dramatic behaviors. They are reminded that positive self-talk and setting boundaries are the perfect ways to gain validation rather than endangering themselves.
Psychodynamic Therapy
This form of therapy focuses on the thoughts, experiences, and feelings that may have influenced a teen into HPD. This holistic therapy helps teenagers reconcile their subconscious mind with reality. During therapy sessions, teens explore unconscious patterns and early life experiences that may have contributed to HPD. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help teenagers understand what triggers their behavior and develop better emotional regulation. It also teaches teenagers positive coping skills.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Originally designed for personality disorders, DBT teaches teenagers how to manage intense emotions. The skills taught in DBT help improve relationships and reduce impulsivity. By helping with emotional regulation, teens will set themselves up for long-term success from HPD and other types of mental health disorders.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is essential in managing the symptoms of HPD. Some parents may not understand why their teenagers with HPD behave the way they do. During these sessions, the therapist teaches the family about HPD, its signs, and its causes. It can help address family dynamics and patterns that may contribute to the disorder. Family therapy teaches the family how to create a safe and supportive environment for healing and may also aid the family with improved communication skills.
Medication
While there is no medication specifically for HPD, medications can be prescribed to address co-occurring symptoms, such as:
Antidepressants: For teenagers experiencing depression or anxiety alongside HPD, antidepressants like SSRIs may be helpful.
Mood stabilizers: Mood stabilizers can help regulate mood swings or impulsive behaviors. They are mainly used to treat mood disorders, which are not limited to HPD. Frequently used mood stabilizers include lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants.
Anti-anxiety medications: Short-term use of anti-anxiety medications may be recommended for teenagers experiencing anxiety as a symptom. It is, however, advisable to use these drugs sparingly as they may cause dependency or other side effects if not taken as prescribed.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment centers are facilities that offer structured, intensive support for teenagers with HPD. These live-in facilities offer round-the-clock services perfect for teenagers with severe mood disorders or substance abuse problems. Mental health professionals provide continuous care in a safe, therapeutic setting. Some therapeutic modalities used in RTC include group and individual therapy. During individual therapy, teenagers work with therapists to develop positive coping skills. Group therapy allows teenagers to share their struggles with teenagers going through the same, helping them feel less alone and form bonds based on mutual experiences.
Additionally, RTCs prioritize skill-building among enrolled teenagers. They offer programs that help teenagers develop emotional regulation, social skills, and impulse control. Teenagers are taught how to live life responsibly after RTC treatment, and some may offer programs like self-worth workshops to teach them the importance of self-validation.
Teen Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer specialized and comprehensive treatment for teens with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Our treatment modalities focus on emotional regulation, healthy coping, helping teenagers build genuine relationships, and restoring their joy in life. We provide individualized therapy like teen Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address attention-seeking patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for managing intense emotions, and psychodynamic therapy to explore underlying triggers. Group therapy and social skills training allow teens to practice healthy communication and empathy in a supportive environment.
We believe in the benefits of family involvement during every step of treatment. Therefore, we offer family therapy, daily phone calls, and weekly family visits. We teach families to create supportive environments and care for their teens during family therapy. In some cases, we complement therapies with medication for co-occurring symptoms.
Additionally, we integrate holistic programs such as art and drama therapy, equine therapy, and mindfulness exercises. We promote lifestyle adjustments such as physical activity and journaling to promote self-awareness and confidence. We also offer RTC for teenagers who require 24/7 care and guidance. If you notice your teenagers displaying any signs discussed, reach out to us today. Early intervention is always best!
Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder in Teens
Published By nexus_admin
Published On November 25, 2024
Table of Contents
About 1% of teenagers have Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). For teens with HPD, life can feel like an endless pursuit of attention and validation. This may be signified by intense emotional highs and lows beyond typical adolescent behavior.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we provide targeted support for teens with HPD, helping them build emotional balance, self-confidence, and genuine relationships. This guide will discuss the key symptoms of teen HPD and explore treatment options. We will also discuss the role of Nexus Teen Academy in guiding teens toward a more stable, fulfilling life and how our teen mental health treatment center in Arizona can help.
What is Teen Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Teen Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition that affects adolescents. It is characterized by attention-seeking behavior, being too emotional, and always craving attention and validation from others. Teenagers with HPD are likely to have low self-worth as they consider themselves worthy based on the amount of attention they garner.
It is not unusual to confuse teen HPD with teen egocentrism, as they have almost the same symptoms and signs. The major difference is unlike egocentrism, where teenagers are preoccupied with themselves, teen HPD often pushes teenagers to be theatrical when they are not getting the attention they desire. HPD is relatively rare, and according to research, it only affects an estimated 1% of the population.
Common Symptoms of HPD
Some of the behaviors to distinguish whether your teenagers have HPD include:
Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment
Teen HPD is not treatable but can be managed by evidence-based therapeutic practices. If your teenagers exhibit excessive theatrical behaviors, it may be a good idea to have them checked if it is interfering with various aspects of life. Upon admission to a teen residential treatment center, they will be expected to go through a series of tests to determine whether they have HPD or different mood disorders. After diagnosis, your teenager may be enrolled in various forms of therapy and get prescribed medication.
Therapy & Counseling
Therapy and counseling are highly effective ways to treat teen HPD. Beneficial forms of psychotherapy include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps teenagers recognize and shift their distorted thought patterns. Teenagers are reminded that their values and self-worth do not stem from outside validation but from within. During CBT, teenagers are taught how to manage impulsive and dramatic behaviors. They are reminded that positive self-talk and setting boundaries are the perfect ways to gain validation rather than endangering themselves.
Psychodynamic Therapy
This form of therapy focuses on the thoughts, experiences, and feelings that may have influenced a teen into HPD. This holistic therapy helps teenagers reconcile their subconscious mind with reality. During therapy sessions, teens explore unconscious patterns and early life experiences that may have contributed to HPD. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help teenagers understand what triggers their behavior and develop better emotional regulation. It also teaches teenagers positive coping skills.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Originally designed for personality disorders, DBT teaches teenagers how to manage intense emotions. The skills taught in DBT help improve relationships and reduce impulsivity. By helping with emotional regulation, teens will set themselves up for long-term success from HPD and other types of mental health disorders.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is essential in managing the symptoms of HPD. Some parents may not understand why their teenagers with HPD behave the way they do. During these sessions, the therapist teaches the family about HPD, its signs, and its causes. It can help address family dynamics and patterns that may contribute to the disorder. Family therapy teaches the family how to create a safe and supportive environment for healing and may also aid the family with improved communication skills.
Medication
While there is no medication specifically for HPD, medications can be prescribed to address co-occurring symptoms, such as:
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment centers are facilities that offer structured, intensive support for teenagers with HPD. These live-in facilities offer round-the-clock services perfect for teenagers with severe mood disorders or substance abuse problems. Mental health professionals provide continuous care in a safe, therapeutic setting. Some therapeutic modalities used in RTC include group and individual therapy. During individual therapy, teenagers work with therapists to develop positive coping skills. Group therapy allows teenagers to share their struggles with teenagers going through the same, helping them feel less alone and form bonds based on mutual experiences.
Additionally, RTCs prioritize skill-building among enrolled teenagers. They offer programs that help teenagers develop emotional regulation, social skills, and impulse control. Teenagers are taught how to live life responsibly after RTC treatment, and some may offer programs like self-worth workshops to teach them the importance of self-validation.
Teen Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer specialized and comprehensive treatment for teens with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Our treatment modalities focus on emotional regulation, healthy coping, helping teenagers build genuine relationships, and restoring their joy in life. We provide individualized therapy like teen Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address attention-seeking patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for managing intense emotions, and psychodynamic therapy to explore underlying triggers. Group therapy and social skills training allow teens to practice healthy communication and empathy in a supportive environment.
We believe in the benefits of family involvement during every step of treatment. Therefore, we offer family therapy, daily phone calls, and weekly family visits. We teach families to create supportive environments and care for their teens during family therapy. In some cases, we complement therapies with medication for co-occurring symptoms.
Additionally, we integrate holistic programs such as art and drama therapy, equine therapy, and mindfulness exercises. We promote lifestyle adjustments such as physical activity and journaling to promote self-awareness and confidence. We also offer RTC for teenagers who require 24/7 care and guidance. If you notice your teenagers displaying any signs discussed, reach out to us today. Early intervention is always best!