Summary:

This episode continues our personality disorder prototype series by exploring histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and its relationship to borderline personality disorder (BPD) through an Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) lens. Clinical Psychologists Ken and Eliza examine how both patterns center around fears of abandonment, but diverge in how individuals attempt to meet those needs—highlighting coercive dependency in HPD and shifting relational dynamics in BPD.

The episode also addresses gendered assumptions in diagnosis and the importance of case formulation over labels. Clinicians will gain a deeper understanding of how interpersonal patterns develop, how they present in therapy, and how to respond without reinforcing maladaptive cycles. This discussion offers practical insight into working with personality disorders in a way that is compassionate, nuanced, and clinically effective within an IRT framework.

If you like this episode, please subscribe, like, and share with your friends. Let us know what you want to hear us talk about in future episodes - we are listening! Check out the ⁠IRT Institute ⁠website for more information on IRT, including training for mental health professionals. We have also created an ⁠episode guide⁠ that gives more detailed information about each episode.

Note: The Loving Differently Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content discussed in each episode is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapist–client relationship with either of the hosts. If you are experiencing psychological distress, relationship difficulties, or a mental health emergency, please seek support from a licensed mental health provider in your area or contact your local emergency services.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the series and rationale

02:30 Framing personality disorders through IRT and SASB

05:00 Overview of borderline personality dynamics

08:00 Introducing histrionic personality disorder

12:00 DSM vs interpersonal understanding

16:00 Developmental history of histrionic patterns

21:00 Similarities and differences between HPD and BPD

27:00 Clinical implications and therapy dynamics

35:00 Countertransference and therapist awareness

45:00 Closing thoughts and preview of next episode

References:

for specific references