Question

For the below example, provide a diagnosis and symptoms from the vignette to support your diagnosis.

Jody is a 26 year-old school drama teacher. She loves her job with the students and takes great pride in how many of her students have gone on to careers in the entertainment business. She enters therapy at the request of her principal as lately she has had several complaints lodged against her by the parents of students.

Parents have complained that Margaret is frequently trying to “upstage” (take the attention) their children during performances. On two occasions, Margaret actually stopped kids in the middle of their performances, and in front of the entire school, took the children’s places/characters and acted them out herself. When asked why she had done this, Margaret laughed and apologized for perhaps hurting the children but stated that “she just had to save the production.” This type of over-dramatized presentation is evident with both her students and with you.

The therapist notices that Margaret’s speech is quite dramatic, and she’s dressed seductively and acts flirtatiously throughout the session. She looks as if she’ll cry several times, but then quickly moves to a positive and even happy mood when talking about her career plays and musicals. She also insists that her students "adore" her and than many see her as a mother.

Answer 1

The diagnosis for this case is Histrionic Personality Disorder.
In this disorder, the person can have the habit of taking or seeking attention. The person can feel that he has many close relationships in his life. All these symptoms are shown in the case of Jody. She has been taking the attention of the stage. She is also being dramatic. She tries to take attention of the therapist by dressing seductively. She thinks that her students love her when this is not true. She has also been noticed for changing her emotion rapidly.