In a tongue-in-cheek essay, a psychology professor laments that his diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder has now been removed from the DSM-V, the official list of mental disorders. “There are various diagnostic criteria associated with HPD. The essence of the disorder is attention-seeking and self-dramatisation. I do recognise some symptoms — but only some— in myself. Of course, many clinicians would say the mere fact that I am writing this article is itself sound evidence in support of the diagnosis. But perhaps this explains why I feel so bereft, now that HPD has been dropped from DSM-V. I can no longer be a patient, a victim or even an interesting case study. I am cured. I am well. And the reason for this change?”
