• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
  • Reduces dysfunctional thoughts, such as the idea of not being able to care for oneself.
  • Focuses on shifting from global, suggestible thinking to a more structured focus on problems.
  • Challenges automatic thoughts about inferiority and the inability to handle one's life.
  • Teaches individuals to identify automatic thoughts and work on impulsive behaviours.
  • Develops better problem-solving skills.
• Group Therapy: This can improve social skills and provide a setting to learn how to interact in a group.
• Family Therapy:
  • Directs individuals with the disorder to speak directly to other family members to promote assertiveness rather than avoidance of conflict.
  • Supports family members to meet their needs without supporting the histrionic behaviours of the individual.
  • Uses behavioural contracts to support assertive behaviours rather than temper tantrums.
• It is important to be aware that those with Cluster B personality disorders, including Histrionic PD, tend to prematurely end treatment, which can result in poorer outcomes.

9. Define dependent personality disorder and explain its symptoms.

Dependent personality disorder is characterised by a pervasive psychological dependence on other people. Symptoms include a disproportionately low level of confidence in their own abilities, difficulty making decisions or undertaking projects independently, and reliance on others for both ordinary and important decisions. They are overly cooperative and fear being left to care for themselves.

10. Discuss the diagnostic features of dependent personality disorder.

The diagnostic features of dependent personality disorder include difficulty making decisions, needing others to take responsibility, subordinating one's needs, unwillingness to make demands, discomfort when alone, and fear of inability to care for oneself.

11. In what respect does dependent personality disorder differ from other forms of personality disorder?

Dependent personality disorder is marked by a pervasive reliance on others and fear of being alone, distinguishing it from other personality disorders. While both dependent and avoidant personality disorders are characterised by feelings of inadequacy, dependent PD is marked by a desire for relationships whereas those with avoidant PD are socially inhibited. It differs from histrionic personality disorder in that dependent personalities are self-effacing while histrionic personalities seek attention. Those with Borderline PD cling to people and show intense dependency, but those with Histrionic PD have getting the attention of others as a high priority.

12. How can dependent personality disorder be treated? Discuss the methods of treatment.

Treatment primarily involves psychotherapy to help individuals cope with anxiety, develop assertiveness, and improve decision-making skills. Short-term therapy with a focus on specific problems is most effective. Cognitive restructuring can also be helpful.

13. Explain the nature and symptoms of histrionic personality disorder.

Histrionic personality disorder is characterised by a pattern of attention-seeking and dramatic behaviours. Symptoms include discomfort when not the centre of attention, inappropriate sexual seductiveness, rapidly shifting and shallow expressions of emotions, use of physical appearance to draw attention, speech that is excessively impressionistic, self-dramatisation, suggestibility, and overestimation of the intimacy of relationships. They have a strong need for approval and their self-esteem depends on external validation.

14. Explain the diagnostic features of histrionic personality disorder.

Diagnostic features include discomfort when not the center of attention, inappropriate sexually seductive behavior, rapidly shifting emotions, use of physical appearance to gain attention, excessively impressionistic speech, self-dramatisation, suggestibility, and overestimation of the level of intimacy in relationships.

15. In what respect is histrionic personality disorder different from dependent personality disorder?

While both seek reassurance, histrionic personalities are more actively attention-seeking and flamboyant. Dependent personalities are more self-effacing. Those with Histrionic PD place a high priority on getting the attention of others, while those with Dependent PD have a greater fear of being left alone.

16. Discuss psychotherapies used for treating the individuals with histrionic personality disorder.

Psychotherapies include CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to challenge dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours and improve problem-solving. Family therapy can address family dynamics and encourage assertiveness. Group therapy can improve social skills.

17. Explain the causes of dependent personality disorder.

Causes of dependent personality disorder:

• The exact cause of dependent personality disorder is not known, but it is thought to involve both biological and developmental factors.
• Some researchers believe that an authoritarian or over-protective parenting style can lead to the development of dependent personality traits in people who are susceptible to the disorder.
• It is commonly thought that the development of dependence in these individuals is a result of over-involvement and intrusive behaviour by their primary caretakers, who may reward extreme loyalty but reject attempts by the child to become independent.
• Families of those with dependent personality disorder often do not express their emotions and are controlling. They demonstrate poorly defined relational roles within the family unit.
• Some other researchers suggest that dependent children are insecurely attached to their mothers or other caregivers and may not have had close and trusting relationships with others during childhood.
• Individuals with dependent personality disorder often have been socially humiliated by others in their developmental years. They may carry significant doubts about their abilities to perform tasks, take on new responsibilities, and generally fear to function independently of others, which reinforces their suspicions that they are incapable of living autonomously.
• In response to these feelings, they portray a helplessness that elicits care giving behaviour from some people in their lives.

18. Discuss the causes of histrionic personality disorder.

Causes of histrionic personality disorder:

• The exact cause of histrionic personality disorder is not known, but many mental health professionals believe that both learned and inherited factors play a role in its development.
• The tendency for histrionic personality disorder to run in families suggests that a genetic susceptibility for the disorder might be inherited. However, the child of a parent with this disorder might simply be repeating learned behaviour.
• Other environmental factors that might be involved include:
  • A lack of criticism or punishment as a child.
  • Positive reinforcement that is given only when a child completes certain approved behaviours.
  • Unpredictable attention given to a child by their parent(s).
• Early psychoanalysts proposed that the genital phase is a determinant of histrionic personality disorder, while later psychoanalysts considered the oral phase to be more important. Most psychoanalysts agree that a traumatic childhood contributes towards the development of histrionic personality disorder.
• Some theorists suggest that the more severe forms of histrionic personality disorder derive from disapproval in the early mother-child relationship.
• According to Anthony Storr, histrionic behaviour is often adopted by individuals who do not feel able to compete with others on equal terms and believe that no one is paying attention to them. Such people may have been disregarded by their parents as children, which leads them to resort to dramatic behaviour in order to be noticed.
• According to Freud’s theory, all people use defense mechanisms, but people with histrionic personality disorder may utilise the defense mechanisms of repression, denial, and dissociation.