How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 22

Both DPD and HPD are distinguished from other personality disorders by their need for social
approval and affection and by their willingness to live in accord with the desires of others. They both
feel paralyzed when they are alone and need constant assurance that they will not be abandoned.
Individuals with DPD are passive individuals who lean on others to guide their lives. People with HPD
are active individuals who take the initiative to arrange and modify the circumstances of their lives.
They have the will and ability to take charge of their lives and to make active demands on others.
Histrionic personality disorder
(HPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attentionseeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriately seductive behavior, usually
beginn ing in early adulthood. These individuals are lively, dramatic, vivacious, enthusiastic, and
flirtatious. HPD affects four times as many women as men. It has a prevalence of 2–3% in the general
population, and 10–15% in inpatient and outpatient mental health institutions.
HPD lies in the dramatic cluster of personality disorders. People with HPD have a high need for
attention, make loud and inappropriate appearances, exaggerate their behaviors and emotions, and
crave stimulation They may exhibit sexually provocative behavior, express strong emotions with an
impressionistic style, and can be easily influenced by others. Associated features include egocentrism,
self-indulgence, continuous longing for appreciation, and persistent manipulative behavior to achieve
their own needs.
Passive-aggressive behavior
Is a category of interpersonal interactions characterized by an obstructionist or hostile manner that
indicates aggression, or, in more general terms, expressing aggression in non-assertive, subtle (that is,
passive or indirect) ways. It can be seen in some cases as a personality trait or disorder marked by a
pervasive pattern of negative attitudes and passive, usually disavowed, resistance in interpersonal or
occupational situations.
Passive-aggressive behavior should not be confused with covert aggression (a behavior better
described as catty), which consists of deliberate, active, but carefully veiled hostile acts and is
distinctively different in character from the non-assertive style of passive aggression.
Passive-aggressive behavior can manifest itself as learned helplessness, procrastination, hostility
masquerading as jokes, stubbornness, resentment, sullenness, or deliberate/repeated failure to
accomplish requested tasks for which one is (often explicitly) responsible.
Antisocial personality disorder
(ASPD) is described (DSM-IV-TR), as an Axis II personality disorder characterized by "...a pervasive
pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early
adolescence and continues into adulthood.
It is characterized by at least 3 of the following:
1. Callous unconcern for the feelings of others;
2. Gross and persistent attitude of irresponsibility and disregard for social norms, rules, and
obligations;
3. Incapacity to maintain enduring relationships, though having no difficulty in establishing them;
4. Very low tolerance to frustration and a low threshold for discharge of aggression, including
violence;
5. Incapacity to experience guilt or to profit from experience, particularly punishment;
6. Markedly prone to blame others or to offer plausible rationalizations for the behavior that has
brought the person into conflict with society.

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