A man in the ED exhibits drug-seeking behavior and becomes upset when medication is not prescribed. Which personality disorder might he have?

In this scenario, the man is exhibiting drug-seeking behavior and displays distress when medications are not provided, which aligns closely with characteristics of borderline personality disorder. Individuals with this disorder often experience intense emotional responses and have difficulties with interpersonal relationships, leading to behavior that may be perceived as manipulative or attention-seeking.

Those with borderline personality disorder may also have a strong fear of abandonment or rejection, which can trigger emotional upheavals when they feel they are not getting the care or attention they desire, such as in the case of not receiving medication. Their emotional instability may cause them to react strongly to perceived slights, contributing to their upset feelings in response to the lack of a prescription.

Conversely, the other personality disorders in the question exhibit different patterns of behavior that do not specifically correlate with the situation described. For example, individuals with antisocial personality disorder display a disregard for the rights of others and are less likely to seek sympathy or support in a manner consistent with drug-seeking behavior. Narcissistic personality disorder involves a pervasive sense of grandiosity and a need for admiration, which might manifest differently than simply seeking medication. Lastly, while histrionic personality disorder is characterized by attention-seeking behaviors and emotional expressiveness, the drug-seeking behavior