DRAMATIC PERSONALITY DISORDERS
🎭 Dramatic Personality Disorders (Cluster B)
This group of personality disorders is known for big emotions, intense relationships, and behaviours that can sometimes feel unpredictable or overwhelming. People with these disorders may experience the world with extreme highs and lows, and it can sometimes be difficult to manage relationships and emotions. These patterns often start in early adulthood and can affect everything from personal connections to work life.
But you're not alone, and you're not the only one feeling this way. Let's break it down 👇
💥 Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
This disorder is all about disregarding the rights of others — people with ASPD often don't feel guilty for their actions, no matter how much they may hurt others. This pattern can lead to big problems in relationships, work, and daily life.
Common signs include:
📝 Repeatedly breaking the law or getting into trouble
🤥 Lying, manipulating, or using people for personal gain
💥 Acting impulsively without thinking about consequences
😡 Aggressive behaviour, including fights or physical harm
🚨 Disregarding the safety of others (and yourself)
💼 Consistently irresponsible at work or with finances
😶 No remorse for hurting other
It's not just about "bad behaviour" — these patterns are often linked to past trauma or struggles. Understanding and support can help make a real difference 💙
💔 Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
BPD can feel like an emotional rollercoaster 🎢. People with BPD experience extreme mood swings, struggles with self-identity, and fear of abandonment. Relationships can feel intense and unstable, often swinging between idealisation and devaluation.
Common signs include:
💔 Fear of being abandoned — even by people you love
🔄 Intense, unstable relationships that flip between love and hate
🤯 Sudden shifts in self-image (e.g. values, goals, or identity)
🎲 Impulsive behaviours (e.g. spending, sex, risky decisions)
💥 Self-harm or threats of suicide when feeling overwhelmed
🌪️ Intense emotional reactions that change quickly
😞 Chronic emptiness or feelings of boredom
😡 Difficulty controlling anger or frequent outbursts
💭 Paranoia or dissociation (feeling detached from reality)
BPD is said to be the most painful mental health condition someone can live with. It's important to remember you're not alone — and support is key to finding balance 🌟
🎭 Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)
People with HPD often feel the need to be the centre of attention. While they might come off as dramatic or over-the-top, it's often a way of seeking validation and connection.
Common signs include:
💃 Feeling uncomfortable if you're not the focus of attention
😘 Using provocative or flirtatious behaviour to get attention
🌪️ Rapid shifts in emotions, which can seem shallow or fake
💅 Dressing or acting in ways to draw attention
🗣️ Speaking dramatically or exaggerating stories
🎭 Constantly seeking approval or admiration
🧑🤝🧑 Viewing relationships as more intimate than they are
🤔 Easily influenced by others or social trends
It's all about feeling seen and valued — but if those needs aren't met, it can leave you feeling empty. Understanding and support are key to helping you feel heard 🎤
👑 Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
NPD is about having a larger-than-life view of yourself, often needing admiration and attention to feel validated. While people with NPD can be very charming, they also struggle with a lack of empathy, which can make relationships difficult.
Common signs include:
🦸♂️ Believing you're superior to others (and needing others to recognise it)
🌟 Constantly fantasising about unlimited success, power, or fame
🙋♂️ Expecting to be treated like a VIP, no matter the situation
💬 Demanding admiration and praise from everyone
🤝 Exploiting others to achieve personal goals
💔 Lacking empathy for others' feelings or needs
😠 Feeling envious of others or thinking they're jealous of you
👑 Displaying arrogant or superior behaviour
People with NPD often feel deeply insecure inside, even if their outward behaviour says otherwise. Self-awareness, therapy, and support can help you rebuild a healthier self-image 💖
🎭 💥 These dramatic traits may feel isolating at times, but understanding what's behind these behaviours is the first step to healing. You're not broken — you just need the right support to help manage the intensity of your emotions and relationships. We're here to help, and you don't have to navigate this alone 🤝💙
Contact Us if you would like more information about any of the above, or are interested in dropping in to one of our weekly peer support sessions.
If you are struggling, please check out our Help & Support page for signposting to appropriate services.
📌 Other or Unspecified Personality Disorders
Sometimes, a person may experience ongoing personality struggles that don't quite fit into the usual categories. That's where "Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" (PD-NOS) comes in.
🧩 You might not meet the full criteria for one specific disorder, but still feel distressed or held back by certain patterns
🧠 Your experience may fit a type that's not officially recognised in diagnostic manuals (like Depressive or Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder)
No matter the label — your experience is valid. If your patterns are making life harder, support is available. You don't have to meet every checkbox to deserve help 💛