What is the first-line treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder?

The first-line treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder is psychotherapy. This approach is fundamental because individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder often benefit from a therapeutic environment where they can explore and understand their emotions and behavior patterns. Psychotherapy, particularly approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychodynamic therapy, can help patients develop healthier relationships, improve self-esteem, and learn to manage their emotional responses more effectively.

While SSRIs can be used to treat associated symptoms such as depression or anxiety, they do not directly address the core issues related to Histrionic Personality Disorder. Similarly, long-term psychodynamic therapy may be beneficial but is generally not the first-line choice due to its intensive nature and time commitment. Clonazepam, a benzodiazepine, may address anxiety but is not an appropriate primary treatment for a personality disorder, particularly given the risks for dependency and other side effects. Therefore, psychotherapy remains the most effective and appropriate initial treatment strategy for managing Histrionic Personality Disorder.