HPD & Social Media: Case Study of an Emerging Mental Disorder

 Introduction

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is a complex and relatively uncommon mental health condition characterized by comprehensive patterns of excessive attention-seeking, emotional expression, and a need for constant validation.

 Individuals with HPD often exhibit dramatic and flamboyant behaviour, seeking to be the centre of attention in social settings. They may engage in seductive or provocative behaviour to maintain this focus on themselves.

People with HPD tend to be highly emotional, with rapidly shifting moods and intense but shallow interpersonal relationships. They may be easily influenced by others and often have difficulty maintaining long-term, genuine connections. Their self-esteem is often fragile, relying heavily on external approval and praise.

While the exact cause of HPD is not fully understood, a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors likely contributes to its development. Diagnosis and treatment typically involve psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, aimed at helping individuals with HPD gain insight into their behaviour and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

 Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder is essential for healthcare professionals and loved ones to provide support and assistance to individuals living with this condition, as it can significantly impact their personal and social functioning.

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is part of a larger group of psychological disorders called “Cluster B” personality disorders. Disorders in this category cause a person to be overly dramatic, emotional, or erratic.

What causes HPD

The exact causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) are not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a complex interplay of various factors. Some of the factors that may contribute to the development of HPD include:

Genetic Factors: There may be a genetic predisposition to personality disorders, including HPD. A family history of personality disorders or other mental health conditions may increase the risk.

Childhood Experiences: Early childhood experiences and upbringing can play a role. Individuals who grew up in environments where their emotions and attention-seeking behaviours were consistently rewarded or encouraged may be more prone to developing HPD.

Environmental Factors: Traumatic or adverse experiences in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or unstable family dynamics, may contribute to the development of HPD. These experiences can impact an individual’s self-esteem and interpersonal relationships.

Personality Traits: Some individuals may have certain personality traits that make them more susceptible to HPD, such as a heightened desire for attention, low self-esteem, or a tendency to be emotionally reactive.

Cultural and Societal Influences: Cultural and societal norms can also influence the expression of personality traits. In cultures that value extroverted and attention-seeking behaviours, individuals may be more likely to exhibit traits associated with HPD.

Nature of Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Seeking Attention: Individuals with HPD have an overwhelming desire to be the centre of attention and will go to great lengths to achieve it. They often use their appearance, emotions, or dramatic gestures to capture the focus of others.

• Seductive or Provocative Behaviour: They may engage in sexually suggestive or provocative behaviour to gain attention and validation from others.

• Shallow Emotions: Their emotions are often intense but superficial. They may quickly shift from one emotion to another, and their feelings may seem insincere or exaggerated.

• Impressionistic Speech: People with HPD may use colourful and emotional language when speaking, but their conversations often lack depth and detail. They may focus on emotions rather than facts.

• Easily Influenced: They are highly susceptible to the influence of others and may change their opinions, preferences, or values to align with those of people they seek attention from.

• Difficulty Maintaining Relationships: Despite their desire for attention, individuals with HPD often struggle to maintain long-term, meaningful relationships because their need for constant validation can be exhausting for others.

• Self-Esteem Dependent on Others: Their self-esteem is usually tied to external approval and praise. They may feel worthless or unimportant without constant positive feedback.

• Dramatic Reactions to Minor Events: They tend to react dramatically to minor setbacks or inconveniences, making them appear emotionally unstable.

• Attention-Seeking in Crisis: In times of crisis or distress, they may seek attention and support more intensely, often exaggerating the seriousness of the situation.

• Impulsivity: They may engage in impulsive behaviours, such as reckless spending or substance abuse, to fulfill their desire for excitement and attention.

Role of Hormones in HPD

There isn’t a specific set of hormones directly associated with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Personality disorders, including HPD, are complex conditions believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. The development and manifestation of personality disorders are not typically linked to specific hormonal imbalances.

That said, hormones, including neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, play a role in regulating mood, behaviour, and emotional responses. Imbalances or dysregulation in these neurotransmitters might contribute to certain behavioural patterns associated with personality disorders, including HPD.

Understanding of personality disorders is continually evolving, and research in this area is ongoing. If you have concerns about personality traits or behaviours, seeking guidance from a mental health professional is recommended.

Social media and and Histrionic Personality Disorder:

Social media can influence Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) or exacerbate certain behaviours associated with this personality disorder. Here are ways in which social media may impact individuals with HPD:

Attention-Seeking Behaviour:

• Online Validation: Social media platforms offer a way for individuals with HPD to seek constant validation and attention through likes, comments, and shares.

• Posting Dramatic Content: Individuals might post dramatic stories, updates, or images to attract attention and elicit emotional responses from others.

Impression Management:

• Crafting an Idealized Image: Social media allows individuals with HPD to carefully craft and present an idealized version of themselves, showcasing a glamorous or exaggerated lifestyle to gain admiration.

• Selective Sharing: Users may selectively share information to present a particular image, emphasizing positive aspects and downplaying negative aspects of their lives.

Fleeting Relationships:

• Quantity over Quality: Social media facilitates the accumulation of a large number of online connections. Individuals with HPD may focus on quantity rather than forming deep, meaningful relationships.

• Shallow Interactions: Interactions on social media can be superficial, aligning with the difficulty individuals with HPD face in forming and maintaining authentic connections.

Immediate Feedback Loop:

• Validation and Self-Esteem: The immediate feedback loop on social media can impact self-esteem. Positive responses may reinforce certain behaviours, while negative responses might lead to more dramatic expressions to regain attention.

Comparison and Competition:

• Social Comparison: Social media platforms encourage individuals to compare themselves with others. Individuals with HPD might engage in constant social comparison, seeking to outshine or be perceived as superior to their peers.

• Competitive Behaviour: Users may engage in competitive posting, trying to garner more attention than others.

It’s important to recognize that while social media can influence behaviour, it doesn’t cause personality disorders like HPD. The development of personality disorders involves complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Case Study:

Recently we conducted a survey in our area and friend circle via google forms and offline interaction to know what effect social media is having on the mental health of the people around us.

Some key findings we found from the survey:

Findings:

• Our surveys have shown that about 60 percent of people have heard and know what HPD is.

• When the question was asked, are you addicted to social media? 60 percent people said “yes”. And rest of the people disagreed that social media is addicted platform.

• The survey also shows that about 55 % people use social media more than 5 hours a day. Whereas 45 % people use social media for less than 3 hours.

• There are many social media platforms, it was found that about 40% of the people prefer Instagram as the most used platform. And the rest of them chose WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and so on.

• Also, 60 percent of people admit that social media is affecting their mental health and social behaviour.

• It has also been found that 30 percent of people use social media to show off their lifestyle and make people happy and get to know them.

• It has been found that most of the people are using social media to fulfill their free time through social media and others use it to stay updated with current affairs and news, find related content on social media, communicate with friends, etc.

• Nearly 40% of people said they are deeply affected by their content on social media, for example, they are extremely happy when someone likes or comments on their photo video, and even more so when their photo video does not meet the expected criteria they become very sad.

• Most of the people in the survey said that social media is affecting their real life relationships like family, love and friendship because social media.

• 75 percent of the people agreed that most of the user on social media pretend to be something in real life and show something else on social media.

• 70 percent people say that they have learned many things from social media while 30 percent people said that they are getting distracted by social media.

• When the question was asked, can you live without social media even for a day? 60 percent people said that they can do this while 40 percent said that it will be difficult for them.

• Also, 60 percent people said that social media has a positive impact on their life while the remaining 40 percent said that it has a negative impact.

• It has also been found that most people do not post everything on social media but only a select few things that happen to them, most of which are the happiest parts.

• After reading and knowing about HPD, about 60 percent of the people reported that they are suffering from HPD, even people in their friend circle are suffering from it.

Conclusion

After going through the survey and many researches and browsing on this topic. We came to know that..HPD is not a very dangerous mental health disorder. But still it is a matter of tension because through social media and other mediums it is affecting today’s youth on a large scale.

Nowadays people are also ignoring mental health related problems. We consult a doctor only for physical health. There are rare people who consult a doctor for mental health. So being a youth we should be aware about these types of issues and make people around us aware.

Yes, we have a desire to enjoy time on things like social media, so we should make sure that we will consume more productive content and learning content than distracting and time-wasting activities from it. And we should not make a habit of it. One should not get addicted to it.

Pros and cons of social media as pointed out by people in our survey:

Pros

Many people agree that they have learned many things from social media, including English speaking and writing skills, staying updated with news. Many people are also happy that because of social media they changed from introvert to extrovert and their communication skills improved.

Cons

On the other hand Many people described social media as an addiction and a source of distraction.

Less attention is paid to family friends after using social media. Also some people considered social media as the reason of procrastination and lack of concentration.

Suggestion by the people in our Survey regarding HPD and Social media:

• Some people said that parents of children should know what their child is doing and no one should be controlled by the algorithms of social media. They should take control of social media and use it as they wish.

• Some people suggested to use social media within its limit. Its should not be a addictive thing.

• Many people suggested trying new things in free time instead of using social media like playing outdoor games, spending time in nature, reading Bhagavad Gita, meditation etc.

• Some people strongly argue that social media is not an addiction or a source of distraction at all, it depends on the extent to which we are using it.

• Some people give some innovative suggestions like within some time people should be given a day of internet fasting to keep themselves away from the internet world.

• Many sought guidance and counselling from elders regarding mental health to gain self-control and better themselves.

Resolution

Addressing Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) often involves a comprehensive and individualized approach. It’s essential to work with mental health professionals to develop a resolution plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual. Here are general strategies that might be included in a resolution plan for addressing HPD:

1.Psychotherapy (Counselling):

• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT can help individuals with HPD identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours, promoting more adaptive responses and emotional regulation.

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on building skills in emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.

2.Group Therapy:

Group therapy provides a supportive environment where individuals can learn from others, gain insights into their own behaviours, and practice healthy social interactions.

3.Education:

Understanding HPD and its impact on relationships and daily functioning is crucial. Psychoeducational helps individuals recognize maladaptive patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

4.Medication:

While there are no specific medications to treat HPD directly, medications may be prescribed to address co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression.

5.Building Healthy Relationships:

Learning and practicing healthy communication skills, empathy, and understanding are essential components of addressing interpersonal difficulties associated with HPD.

6.Setting Boundaries:

Encouraging individuals with HPD to establish and respect personal boundaries can contribute to more stable and fulfilling relationships.

7.Mindfulness and Self-Awareness:

Developing mindfulness skills can help individuals with HPD become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, promoting self-reflection and emotional regulation.

8.Focus on Self-Improvement:

Encouraging individuals with HPD to focus on personal growth, learning new skills, and engaging in activities that foster a sense of accomplishment can contribute to increased self-esteem.

9.Family Support:

Involving family members in the treatment process can provide a support network and help improve understanding of HPD within the family context.

10.Regular Follow-up and Evaluation:

Ongoing monitoring and follow-up with mental health professionals are crucial to assess progress, adjust treatment plans as needed, and address any emerging challenges.

• It’s important to note that the effectiveness of interventions may vary among individuals, and the resolution of HPD may require ongoing efforts and support. Seeking professional guidance from psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health experts is crucial for developing and implementing an effective resolution plan.

Thank you for reading...

~ Sugyan Nanda

~ Sajan Mahapatra

Post Graduate students of Political science

Rajendra University, Balangir (767001) Odisha.