Which of the following is a diagnostic test for anxiety 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. "Made up" words. This describes neologisms, where individuals create new, nonsensical words that have meaning only to them. It is often seen in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

B. Repeating of another's words. This describes echolalia, a speech disturbance where individuals involuntarily repeat words or phrases spoken by others. It is common in autism spectrum disorder, catatonia, and some neurological conditions.

C. Thought of the speaker wanders off in another direction. Tangentiality occurs when a person's train of thought drifts away from the original topic and never returns to it. Unlike circumstantial speech, where the person eventually returns to the point, tangential thinking leads to incoherent, off-topic responses, commonly seen in schizophrenia, mania, and cognitive disorders.

D. Meaningless rhythm of words. This describes word salad, where speech consists of random, disorganized, and nonsensical words without logical structure. It is a severe thought disorder seen in advanced schizophrenia or delirium.