Diagnostic Criteria

A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

 
• is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention  
• interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior  
• displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions  
• consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self  
• has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail  
• shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion  
• is suggestible, i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances  
• considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are

Differential Diagnosis

Borderline Personality Disorder; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Narcissistic Personality Disorder; Dependent Personality Disorder; Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition; symptoms that may develop in association with chronic substance use.