Living With Histrionic Personality Disorder – Suggestible & Easily Influenced

Suggestible & Easily Influenced I recognize suggestible and easily influenced as a pathological style of people pleasing to the point where I adopted another’s value to be accepted by them, as well as a way to retain their attention. While taking an Addictions Counselling Course back in 1999, the psychologist teaching Counselling Skills Levels I…

Living With Histrionic Personality Disorder – Preoccupation With Appearance

Preoccupation With Appearance I believe I am at the lower end of this HPD symptom continuum because I have not nor will ever have any sort of plastic surgery or Botox to “improve” my appearance or chase after my youth. Why? Two words: Shania Twian. She does not even look like herself as a result…

Living With Histrionic Personality Disorder – A Compulsive Desire For Attention

A Compulsive Desire For Attention While growing up, I have select memories of being told by those around me that (as a result of my behaviour) I was looking for attention. As an adult, I still struggle with a compulsive desire for attention. I struggle to feel second to someone. I have this compulsive need…

Living With Histrionic Personality Disorder – Sexually Provocative Behaviour

Sexually Provocative Behavior It was January, 1997. At 27 years old, I was going for it. I wanted to be a somebody in Halifax – in the up-and-coming explosion of film and television productions throughout Nova Scotia. As newly ordained and completely naive manager (and soon-to-be scapegoat for the restaurant’s failure) of Robert McKelvie’s Pastavino…

Living With Histrionic Personality Disorder – Disproportionate Emotional Reactions

Disproportionate Emotional Reactions This HPD symptom is more challenging to unpack as a result of BPD’s strong emotional responses. Both seem to be similar in that disproportionate emotional responses were cultivated in early childhood as attention seeking behaviours – somebody please notice me and my feelings. However, if I dig a little deeper – HPD’s…

Living With Borderline Personally Disorder – DBT – Skills Thermometer – A DBT Skills Anchor Chart

DBT Skills Thermometer Once the group went through the 4 DBT sections of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness, this lovely Cheat Sheet or Anchor Chart was given to us as a sort of wrap up of the skills and the group. I find it so very helpful. Perhaps, this can help you,…

Living With Borderline Personality Disorder – Highlights Of DBT’s Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

DBT & Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills Goals of Interpersonal Effectiveness: Factors in the Way of Interpersonal Effectiveness: Objectives – Obtaining Them Skillfully: Clarifying Goals In Interpersonal Situations: Guidelines For Objectives Effectiveness: Getting What I Want (DEAR MAN) Guidelines For Relationship Effectiveness: Keeping The Relationship (GIVE) Guidelines For Self-Respect Effectiveness: Keeping Respect For Yourself (FAST) Troubleshooting: When…

Living With Borderline Personality Disorder – My Ability To Self-Validate Grows When I Live In Alignment With My Values

An Unclear & Unstable Self-Concept Those with BPD struggle with having an unclear and unstable self-concept – meaning to be aware of and have a collection of beliefs – morals and values – about ourselves and how we see ourselves in the world. Therefore, if I do not know what I believe in, what my…