A 28-year-old woman at an outpatient clinic dresses flamboyantly, speaks in a theatrical manner with exaggerated emotional expression, rapidly shifts her shallow emotions, is easily influenced by others' suggestions, refers to casual acquaintances as her 'dearest friends', and appears uncomfortable when she is not the centre of attention. Her relationships are otherwise not marked by self-harm or identity disturbance. The most likely diagnosis is:

• A Borderline personality disorder
• B Narcissistic personality disorder
• C Dependent personality disorder
• D Histrionic personality disorder ✓

Explanation

Attention seeking, theatricality, shallow and rapidly shifting emotions, suggestibility, seductive behaviour, and considering relationships closer than they really are define histrionic personality disorder. What separates it from borderline personality disorder is the comparatively stable sense of self and the absence of chronic emptiness, identity disturbance, and recurrent self-harm. She seeks attention rather than admiration for achievement, which argues against narcissistic personality disorder.

Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.