Which disorder is described as excessive emotionality and preoccupation with being the center of attention?

Which disorder is described as excessive emotionality and preoccupation with being the center of attention?

• A. Histrionic personality disorder
• B. Hoarding disorder
• C. Generalized anxiety disorder
• D. Manic episodes

Answer: (A)

The feature being tested is a pattern of dramatic, attention-seeking behavior characteristic of a personality disorder. This description matches histrionic personality disorder, a dramatic, emotional, and attention-focused presentation where individuals show excessive emotionality and a persistent preoccupation with being the center of attention. They often seek approval, use their appearance or performance to draw focus, and may view relationships as more intimate than they actually are. This helps explain why the other options don’t fit: hoarding disorder centers on distress and difficulty discarding possessions; generalized anxiety disorder involves pervasive, excessive worry across many domains; manic episodes feature abnormally elevated mood and high energy, not a fixed pattern of seeking attention through emotionality.

The feature being tested is a pattern of dramatic, attention-seeking behavior characteristic of a personality disorder. This description matches histrionic personality disorder, a dramatic, emotional, and attention-focused presentation where individuals show excessive emotionality and a persistent preoccupation with being the center of attention. They often seek approval, use their appearance or performance to draw focus, and may view relationships as more intimate than they actually are.

This helps explain why the other options don’t fit: hoarding disorder centers on distress and difficulty discarding possessions; generalized anxiety disorder involves pervasive, excessive worry across many domains; manic episodes feature abnormally elevated mood and high energy, not a fixed pattern of seeking attention through emotionality.