Well, I have to confess that I’m probably the only one in the UK who hasn’t been keeping up with eagerness the details of the case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. However, with the forensic pathologist mentioning histrionic personality disorder, I thought I would present the clinical presentation of this disorder.
The DSM present the following criteria for a diagnosis (there are 8 total items, I will list 4):
1. “Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail”
2. “Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions”
3. “Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention”
4. “Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self” (DSM - V, 2013)
As mentioned there are an additional 4 items that the DSM marks as being traits or features of histrionic personality disorder.
The DSM goes on to mention other features that may be indicative:
In the context of relationships, the individual with HPD may seek to control situations via seduction or emotional manipulation but this is counterbalanced by a severe dependency.
References:
APA, 'Histrionic Personality Disorder' (2013) in 'DSM V', American Psychiatric Association
Image credits: WilliamCho / pixabay
Great observations @michelle, perhaps there is a level of comorbidity here? I haven't seen much of the trial itself so you will definitely be able to illuminate the general appearance and mannerisms of Amber Heard.
Certainly as you describe the affectation of emotion is interesting. So as you see it, there wasn't so much an exaggeration of feeling as there was a complete fabrication of emotional content?
I certainly can see how Narcissistic personality disorder might be on the table, but without knowing her own opinions of her importance difficult to say. Would love an assessment to be done though would make for interesting reading.