09/03/2025
Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)
Remember the infamous trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard?
According to news coverage, “a mental health professional testified that Heard suffers from … histrionic personality disorder.”
The diagnosis was based on her use of impressionistic and dramatic speech patterns, a need to draw attention to self, and overestimation of depth in relationships observed during a psychological evaluation.
HPD is considered a Cluster B personality disorder (alongside borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders). These disorders affect how people think about themselves, how they relate to others, and how they handle emotions.
Many people with HPD function “normally” on the surface.
—They may hold jobs, raise families, and maintain friendships.
—Their expressive or attention-seeking behavior may even make them seem fun, charming, or highly social.
Where challenges show up is in relationships and stress. They might struggle with deeper intimacy, shift moods quickly, or feel anxious when they aren’t the center of attention.
This can cause strain in friendships, family life, or at work due to:
➡️ Feeling distressed when they’re not the center of attention
➡️ Using expressive emotions or appearance to gain approval
➡️ Struggling with stable, long-term relationships
➡️ Rapidly shifting emotions
Severity exists on a spectrum. Some individuals have mild traits and live relatively balanced lives. Others experience distress, conflict, or crisis-level issues that interfere with functioning — that’s usually when professional help becomes essential.
Treatment can help people function better.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, psychotherapy is the main treatment, helping individuals develop healthier coping patterns, build emotional awareness, and create more stable relationships.
At A.I.M Wellness , our therapists can help the patient explore how the following plays a factor:
⚖️ Genetics – family history of personality disorders or mental health conditions
🏠 Childhood environment – inconsistent attention or neglect
🧠 Learned coping patterns – attention became tied to safety or love
HPD is not about being “too much”—it’s about unmet emotional needs and survival patterns that became ingrained. We prioritize an unconditional positive regard and value helping all our patients reach their highest level of functionality which starts with symptom management.
A.I.M Wellness 🌳💚
