Histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders both involve attention-seeking behavior but in different ways.

However, the two disorders have enough differences to warrant separate and distinct diagnostic criteria.

What Triggers HPD and NPD?

Two people talking over coffee

SDI Productions / Getty Images

Exactly what triggers histrionic personality disorder is not well understood.

HPD develops in the late teens to early 20s.

It is most commonly diagnosed in females.

Likewise, the exact cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown.

NPD also develops in the late teens to early 20s, but is most commonly diagnosed in males.

It is possible for a person to have both histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders.

This is calledcomorbidpersonality disorders.

People with narcissistic personality disorder often have other conditions as well.

HPD is one of the most common personality disorders to be comorbid with NPD.

Both conditions may also occur with other mental health conditions, such asdepression.

But there are some traits that set them apart.

The exact causes of HPD and NPD are poorly understood.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Personality disorders.

2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723

Moini J, Logalbo A, Schnellmann J.Pharmacology of personality disorders.

2023;1(1):481-496. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-95974-2.00006-2

Mount Sinai.Histrionic personality disorder.

Newport Academy.How to recognize narcissistic personality disorder.

2022 Jul;22(1):500. doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04143-3