Introduction
This essay focuses on the personality disorders with specific reference to the case of Hilde, who had Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Personality disorders are chronic, persistent, and rigid forms of perceived responses to situations, which are adequately maladaptive to create a distraction in the functioning and environmentally created subjective distress. Personality disorders are common. People with these conditions tend not to show concerns with their situations.
On the other hand, their relatives and friends tend to be concerned about their behaviors. In most cases, people with personality conditions tend to consider their personality characteristics as ego-syntonic. In other words, individuals consider their personality traits as consistent with their self-perceptions. This implies that people with personality disorders are not likely to seek help from professionals by themselves. Instead, other people may seek such help for them. Some major characteristics of these disorders include traits that appear odd or eccentric, dramatic, emotional or erratic, and anxious or fearful.
A brief overview of Hilde’s case
Hilde was a 42-year-old homemaker who had several complications, including headaches, marital issues, and gentle depression (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). Initially, the family physician used reassurance and Valium to control the case of Hilde, but they did not work.
Hilde never referred to her condition in personal terms but placed that responsibility on other people. She claimed that her husband was uncaring and noted that a secretary could have seduced him. These conditions and stress contributed to her headaches and depression.
Hilde’s husband claimed that he had become tired of dealing with her. Steve married Hilde for her social status and physical attractiveness. Hilde maintained that her children were wonderful, while Steve noted that the children were spoilt and had a poor performance in school.
Hilde was from a wealthy family and a highly valued child. Hilde’s parents never rewarded her adequately for her academic achievements, but they made fun of ‘intellectual snobs.’ During her adolescence stage, Hilde had a wide circle of friends but failed to create deep relationships with her friends. Although Hilde acquired a reputation of being loose sexually, this was not reflected in her actual behaviors. She considered junior high and high school as the ‘happiest moments of her life.’
However, college years were different for Hilde because she had to work harder than previously to attain average grades. Hilde dated many people but never developed any deep and meaningful relationships or sexual experiences.
Steve and Hilde dated for few months and were married, and none of the family members objected. The courtship was in a whirlwind manner. Steve became highly occupied with his practice as Hilde was engaged in social activities. The couple’s life became dull as they rarely did anything meaningful together.
Biological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components of Hilde’s case
Biological factors were responsible for the case of Hilde. However, Hilde learned most of these disorder patterns from her parents and refined them with age to cope with her prevailing environments and social activities. Hilde’s upbringing contributed to her Histrionic Personality Disorder. Hilde’s mother only used her for social events as an object to show off at parties, but without much caring. Generally, she lacked good maternal attention but strived for her father’s attention.
Emotionally, Hilde developed a wide circle of relationships but failed to create any deep, long-lasting emotional bonds. Hilde focused on social activities but failed to share personal challenges and vulnerabilities. Her parents also hid their marital problems. Hence, denial was rampant in the case of Hilde.
Initially, Hilde displayed good academic performance, cognitive development, and intellectual competence. Unfortunately, these analytic capabilities deteriorated as she progressed through high school to college. Moreover, her family did not provide any meaningful reinforcement. Hilde focused on her physical attractiveness and social skills rather than developing her intellectual skills.
Behavioral aspects of Hilde reflected histrionic personalities. She was categorical on social class and tended to elicit new relationships without developing deep contacts. She placed the blame on others because of her condition. Hilde was emotionally insensitive to others, and she did not understand her own behaviors. She displayed signs of being antisocial (Millon, 2004). Hilde had a mild case of attempted suicide in order to manipulate her husband’s decision of marrying another wife.
Conclusion
This essay has covered the personality disorders with specific reference to the case of Hilde, who had Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Biological and genetic factors could have contributed to the case of Hilde because her mother did not develop any deep relationships with her while her father was a patriarch. However, the highly demanding social environment shaped these personality traits in Hilde.
Hilde showed intense emotional expression to gain favors but failed to develop any deep relationships with others. She did not understand her emotions. Hilde was intelligent, but her family failed to reinforce her academic achievements. Consequently, she declined in performance through her college years. Hilde showed a mild case of suicide to manipulate her husband as their relationship declined.
Hilde’s treatment required rewards, assertive behaviors, avoidance of special treatment, and effective group therapies (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
References
Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Meyer, R., Chapman, L. K., & Weaver, C. M. (2009). Case studies in abnormal behavior (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon/Person Education Inc.
Millon, T. (2004). Personality Disorders in Modern Life. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.