Which of the following best describes excoriation disorder?

A. Criminality. Criminal behavior is more characteristic of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) rather than histrionic personality disorder (HPD). Individuals with ASPD display persistent disregard for social norms, often engaging in deception, aggression, and illegal activities. In contrast, those with HPD focus on gaining attention through dramatic and emotionally expressive behavior, not criminal acts.

B. Dramatic. Individuals with HPD exhibit excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors, often overreacting to minor situations. Their interactions tend to be theatrical, exaggerated, and highly expressive, driven by a deep need for validation. This dramatic presentation can make their emotions seem intense but superficial, affecting personal and professional relationships.

C. Center of attention. A key feature of HPD is the constant desire to be the center of attention, leading to excessive efforts to draw focus in social settings. They may use flirtation, provocative behavior, or exaggerated stories to remain the focal point. If attention shifts away, they may become distressed or act impulsively to regain it, often without considering long-term consequences.

D. Emotionally shallow. Despite their expressive and intense emotional displays, individuals with HPD often lack emotional depth and sincerity. Their emotions can rapidly shift and may seem inconsistent or exaggerated, making it difficult to form genuine, long-lasting relationships. This superficiality often stems from their reliance on external validation rather than internal emotional awareness.

A. Worry about health despite no symptoms. This describes illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis), where individuals have an excessive fear of having a serious illness despite minimal or no physical symptoms. Unlike factitious disorder, these individuals are not fabricating symptoms but are genuinely convinced they are sick.

B. Normal voluntary and sensory dysfunction. This does not describe any recognized psychiatric disorder. However, conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) involves involuntary neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, blindness) without a medical cause, whereas factitious disorder involves intentional symptom fabrication.

C. Worry is out of proportion to the symptoms. This is characteristic of somatic symptom disorder (SSD), where individuals have excessive concern and distress over real but often minor physical symptoms. Unlike factitious disorder, their symptoms are not deliberately produced or exaggerated for attention.

D. Deliberate exaggeration and fabricated symptoms. Factitious disorder (formerly Munchausen syndrome) involves intentionally faking, exaggerating, or inducing medical symptoms to assume the "sick role". Unlike malingering (which is done for external rewards like financial gain), factitious disorder is driven by an internal psychological need for medical attention.