The Histrionic’s Insatiable Hunger For Desire
Oh, to be wanted. Desired. Magnetic. To be irresistible. Who would say no to that?
The woman who has been wolf whistled for the third time that morning may object, perhaps. But for the histrionic, no is never an option — they want to be desired by everyone, at all times.
Narcissist In Disguise?
The histrionic craves attention, and will do almost anything to get it. If they are not the centre of attention, they grow distressed and insecure. This trait overlaps with narcissism, and therefore a histrionic could easily be mistaken for a narcissist. Yet the histrionic pathology goes further, and is organised around a different core wound to the narcissist.
A histrionic is typically highly seductive. They use their body, their charm and their sexuality to draw in a person’s attention. They act sexually, or bring up sex in contexts where it is inappropriate. The histrionic might also be dramatic, lively and over the top. They are the person who, with their potent energy, snatches the group’s attention and aims to keep it. The histrionic may also be obsessed with their health and appearance, always seeking out the newest trend or health fad to stay ahead of the curve.
The histrionic is like a peacock, putting on an elaborate show to draw in unsuspecting admirers. However, we should not be so easily dazzled by this captivating figure. We need to move beyond the show, and delve deeper to truly understand what makes the histrionic tick.
At their core, the histrionic and the narcissist differ in what they seek and why they seek it.
The narcissist wants one thing: narcissistic supply. Sex, affirmation, adulation, services and resources are intended for one purpose: to confirm the narcissist’s grandiosity, and cement their position as the most special person that ever existed.
