Surviving Extreme Situations: Why Do Some People Act So Dramatic?
When disaster strikes or we find ourselves in extreme situations, not everyone reacts the same way. Some people become very quiet and withdrawn, while others respond with surprisingly dramatic or attention-grabbing behavior. You might have seen this in news footage of crises: one survivor wailing and gesturing emphatically amid the chaos, or a team member on a tough expedition suddenly causing a big commotion. These dramatic responses can seem perplexing or even frustrating to onlookers. However, psychology tells us that there are reasons why extreme stress can lead to “histrionic” behaviors – a term that describes theatrical, exaggerated actions meant to attract attention. In this article, we’ll explore this phenomenon in everyday language: why some individuals in war zones, disaster areas, space missions, or deep-sea explorations might act in an over-the-top way when under extreme pressure, and what that means.
An artist’s depiction of a traumatized World War II soldier (“the two-thousand-yard stare”) captures the extreme stress and dissociation that can lead to unusual or dramatic behavior under wartime conditions. In real life, soldiers and civilians under fire have sometimes exhibited theatrical or hysterical reactions to cope with overwhelming fear.
What Are “Histrionic” Behaviors?
“Histrionic” essentially means dramatic or theatrical. In everyday terms, we might say someone “is being dramatic” if they are exaggerating emotions or desperately seeking attention. Psychologists use the term histrionic to describe a pattern of behavior where a person feels they must be noticed and often uses grand emotional displays to get that attention. There is even a diagnosis called Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD), describing people who consistently act very flamboyant, “larger than life,” and emotionally extreme in order to be the center of attention. For example, someone with a histrionic personality might speak in an animated, theatrical manner, burst into tears or laughter very easily, and become distressed if they aren’t being noticed. They might also dress provocatively or tell wildly exaggerated stories – all to hold others’ interest.
It’s important to remember that wanting attention is a basic human trait – we all do to some degree. But histrionic behavior takes it to an extreme. Think of the stereotype of a “drama queen” or someone who “makes a scene.” In many cases, the person isn’t doing this just for fun; deep down, they might feel very insecure or unimportant, and so they’ve learned that being dramatic gets them the care or validation they crave. Psychologists note that often there is an unmet emotional need underneath attention-seeking actions. It could be loneliness, fear of being ignored, or low self-esteem. For some, acting out dramatically is the only way they know to ask for help.
Now, that explains everyday histrionic folks – but what about in extreme situations? Interestingly, even people who are not usually dramatic might display histrionic-style behaviors when subjected to intense stress or trauma. And those who do have dramatic personalities may ramp up even more under pressure. Why does this happen? Let’s dive into some scenarios and explanations.
War Zones and Disasters: Crying Out for Help
In the chaos of a war zone or a natural disaster, our lives can feel upended in an instant. Common responses include fear, shock, and panic. But you might also witness something that looks like hyper-drama. History gives some striking examples. During World War I, doctors reported soldiers who would suddenly relive battle experiences in a very dramatic way: they might drop to the ground, cover their ears or even mimic firing a gun with nothing in their hands – essentially re-enacting a battle scene in a trance-like state. This was an extreme stress reaction (what we’d now consider a form of PTSD or dissociation) and not under the soldier’s conscious control. To observers, it looked very bizarre and theatrical – imagine coming upon a soldier on the floor “shooting” an invisible rifle – but it was the mind’s way of trying to process unspeakable trauma.
In civilian disasters, we frequently see people overtaken by emotion. After a devastating earthquake or during a terrorist attack, for instance, some individuals will scream, sob hysterically, or run around frantically even when they are not in immediate danger. Far from being “weak” or “attention-hungry”, these reactions are often an overwhelmed person’s way of coping and asking for help at the same time. Consider the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks: amidst many who were stunned and silent, there were also people visibly crying, shouting loved ones’ names, or dramatically begging rescuers for information. Those behaviors come from intense inner distress. Trauma experts explain that when our normal calm thinking breaks down, some people externalize their pain – meaning they act it out openly – almost as if saying, “Someone notice how much I’m hurting, please help me.”
Two men assist a woman injured in the September 11, 2001 attacks, as she cries out in distress. In disasters, some survivors exhibit very strong, dramatic emotional reactions – a natural response to overwhelming trauma and a wordless plea for help and comfort.
Such attention-seeking in emergencies can also be strategic, even if not fully conscious. In a crowded disaster scene with limited responders, a person who wails and calls out might get aid faster than one who stays quiet. It’s a bit like a crying baby – the loudest baby might get picked up first. This isn’t to say people are faking; it’s usually a genuine expression of agony or fear. But from an evolutionary standpoint, making noise and attracting attention when you’re in peril can be a survival mechanism. For example, a trapped earthquake victim might scream dramatically not only from fear but also to guide rescuers to their location. Those who witness these scenes should try to respond with empathy rather than judgment. A survivor acting “hysterical” has likely been through something horrific. Rescuers are trained in psychological first aid, which includes staying calm, gently addressing the person by name if possible, and providing reassurance like, “I hear you, you’re safe now,” which can help dial down the extreme behavior.
Interestingly, not everyone in a crisis will do this. Some become very stoic or numb – essentially the opposite of histrionic. People have different coping styles. Culture plays a role too: in some cultures, loud lamenting and dramatic expressions of grief are normal and even expected after a tragedy, whereas in others quiet composure is valued. So what might look “overdramatic” to an American, for instance, might be quite normal in another cultural context of mourning or crisis. That’s something disaster responders keep in mind.
Extreme Missions: Space and Sea – Pressure Above and Below
When we think of astronauts or submariners, we imagine cool-headed professionals. Space agencies carefully select and train individuals to handle stress with discipline. Indeed, you’re not likely to see an astronaut on the International Space Station suddenly throwing a temper tantrum – at least not overtly! Yet, even in these realms, history has a few examples of tension and dramatic moments. One famous case is often dubbed the “Skylab mutiny.” In 1973, the three-man crew of Skylab (America’s first space station) became extremely stressed by their heavy workload and felt Mission Control wasn’t listening to their complaints. In a dramatic move, they shut off their radio communications for a day – essentially going on strike in space. This got everyone’s attention! When contact resumed, the astronauts expressed how overwhelmed they’d been, and NASA agreed to adjust their schedule. This was a pretty theatrical way to handle conflict, but one could argue it was a calculated cry for empathy and change – and it worked, though those astronauts never flew in space again possibly due in part to this incident. The Skylab story shows that even highly stable individuals can resort to dramatic gestures under extreme pressure when they feel unheard.
In the case of long-duration spaceflight or polar missions, psychologists talk about the “behavioral health” challenges that crews face. Being confined with a small group for months, isolated from friends and family, and under real danger (like space vacuum or Antarctic blizzards) can magnify quirks into conflicts. Little annoyances can blow up. For instance, someone cracking jokes all the time might initially be fun, but if others get irritated, it can turn into a dramatic showdown – “Enough with the jokes, this is serious!” or vice versa, the joker might feel underappreciated and start acting out even more to get a laugh. NASA research has emphasized that team compatibility and personality mix are crucial. One expert noted that in these settings, “time stretches and everything gets magnified… it feels like [problems are] under a microscope or on steroids”. In other words, a mildly attention-seeking personality on Earth could become very attention-seeking when cooped up in a space capsule for weeks. To mitigate this, crews often have regular private conferences with psychologists and they practice communication skills to address issues before they explode.
Astronauts on the International Space Station share close quarters. Good camaraderie and communication help prevent “drama” in space. In one case, astronauts (Jessica Watkins on left and Bob Hines on right) enthusiastically welcomed a new crew member, demonstrating positive emotional expression. But if stress rises and feelings go unaddressed, even astronauts could experience interpersonal meltdowns – a situation mission planners aim to avoid through careful crew selection and training (supercluster.com).
What about under the sea? Aquanauts (researchers living in undersea habitats for training or science, like NASA’s NEEMO program) face similar psychological pressures as spacefarers. Though data is limited, anecdotal reports suggest most handle it without any melodrama, but there have been occasional incidents – a diver who became extremely anxious and had a very dramatic panic episode, for example. In submarines, historically, there have been cases of what was once termed “hysteria” under depth: a sailor might scream or make wild claims of seeing something that wasn’t there, leading the crew to surface the sub for that individual’s emergency evacuation. Again, these instances are rare, but they remind us that extreme environments can push the mind into uncharted territory.
Overall, in planned missions, selection filters out those prone to erratic behavior. You likely won’t find a true histrionic personality disorder individual in these crews. But situational stresses can still evoke uncharacteristic drama even in well-chosen teams. As one Antarctic expedition psychologist put it, extraordinary conditions “can easily bring out the best but also the worst in people”. The advice for teams is to remain vigilant for any crew member who seems to be acting out of character – it could be a sign they’re not coping well and need support.
Why Do Our Brains Do This?
From a psychological standpoint, why would a brain under extreme stress go “histrionic”? There are a few explanations:
Coping Mechanism: As mentioned, dramatic behavior often stems from a need for support. In dire situations, support (from other humans) is as vital as food and water. Our evolutionary wiring knows that if we appear seriously distressed, others are more likely to help. This is not a conscious calculation in most cases, but an automatic survival instinct. Think of a child – children are quite uninhibited about showing distress because they rely on caregivers. In extreme stress, adults can revert to childlike modes, essentially broadcasting their pain in hopes of receiving care.
Emotional Overflow: Sometimes, the person isn’t even trying to get attention; their emotions are just so intense that they explode outward. Trauma can overwhelm the brain’s capacity to contain feelings. If someone has a buildup of terror or grief, it might pour out in screams, sobs, or dramatic gestures. Different people have different thresholds – some might implode (go silent or faint), and others explode. Those who explode are the ones we see as “being dramatic,” but it’s simply that their emotional cup “runneth over” in a visible way.
Temporary Regression: Extreme stress can cause a phenomenon psychologists call regression, where an adult temporarily loses some mature coping strategies and falls back on earlier behaviors (like a teenager might throw a childish tantrum under extreme pressure). Under life-and-death stress, even grown adults might cry, yell, or impulsively demand attention much like a child would. It’s the psyche’s way of saying, “I can’t handle this with my adult tools; maybe the strategies of my younger self will bring relief.”
Culture and Learning: Some people have learned over time that dramatic behavior “works” for them – maybe in their past, it was how they got their family’s attention or navigated conflict. Under stress, we often fall back on our most practiced behaviors. So, a person who learned “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” may indeed become the loud, squeaky wheel in a crisis because that’s what has historically gotten them help.
Neurochemical Factors: When we’re in extreme stress, our body releases adrenaline and other stress hormones. These chemicals can make us jittery, intense, and less inhibited. The brain’s frontal lobes (responsible for judgment and self-control) can be somewhat dampened by the flood of stress chemicals, while the amygdala (the fear center) is overactive. The result? Our ability to self-censor or “act normal” is reduced. We might do things we normally wouldn’t – yell at strangers, hysterically cling to someone – because the normal brakes aren’t as effective in that moment.
Understanding these factors helps us realize that histrionic reactions are not about character flaws; they’re about human survival responses. Some people’s systems respond one way, some another. Neither is morally good or bad. Of course, these behaviors can be disruptive or even harmful (for instance, panic can be contagious in a group), so this isn’t to glorify them, but to understand them.
An aquanaut working in an undersea habitat during a NASA NEEMO mission. In isolated, high-pressure environments like the ocean floor, astronauts and researchers practice handling stress and working together. Strong support and clear communication in these teams help prevent emotional meltdowns. But even in such extreme settings, human reactions can vary – training and camaraderie are key to keeping everyone grounded and avoiding destructive drama.
How Can We Respond Constructively?
If you ever find yourself in an extreme situation (knock on wood) or even just witness someone reacting dramatically to a crisis, a bit of empathy and know-how goes a long way. Here are a few pointers:
Stay Calm and Acknowledge: The worst thing to do when someone is being highly dramatic is to laugh at, scold, or ignore them. That often intensifies their behavior – they feel even more unheard and may escalate. Instead, staying calm yourself is step one (easier said than done, but crucial). Then acknowledge the person’s feelings: “I can see you’re really scared/upset. It’s okay, I’m here.” Acknowledgment can often start to defuse the need for escalation, because the core need (to be seen) is being met.
Gentle Guidance: Once you’ve acknowledged them, you can try to gently guide their behavior. For example, “Let’s sit down over here together, away from the crowd,” or “Take my hand and let’s breathe slowly together.”This gives them something grounding to do. It’s essentially offering support and a bit of distraction without dismissing their feelings. Often, dramatic behavior can burn itself out once the person feels a bit safer or more in control.
Use Their Name and Voice Reassurance: If you know the person, using their name can help snap them out of a panicked, performative loop. “John, John… listen, you’re safe now.” Keep your voice steady, not panicked. The contrast of your calm tone can help regulate their emotional level (we’re wired to attune to others’ emotional cues).
Don’t Take It Personally: If someone in stress is yelling or saying dramatic things, try not to take offense. They might say things they don’t mean or exaggerate (e.g. “We’re all going to die if you don’t do something!”). Remember, it’s the fear talking. If you stay composed, you can be a rock for them without getting emotionally dragged into the drama.
Aftercare: Once the moment of crisis passes, it’s good to check in with that person (if you’re in a position to do so). Often, people feel embarrassed after they realize they “made a scene.” Reassure them that it’s understandable given what happened. If ongoing, encourage them to talk to a counselor or join a support group – they clearly had a lot of emotion that needs processing, and that’s okay. It’s far better they process it with help than keep it bottled (which could lead to future explosions or other issues).
For those of us who might worry “Could I be that person?” – it’s hard to predict our behavior in extremes. But there’s no shame in however you react when fighting for survival. Being aware is helpful: if you know you have a tendency to get very emotional under stress, you might mentally rehearse some grounding techniques (deep breathing, focusing on a task) or inform teammates, “If I get really upset, just talk to me calmly; that helps.” Self-awareness can turn potential negative drama into something manageable.
Takeaway
Extreme stress can bring out extreme behaviors. Some people shut down, others flare up. Those who flare up with dramatic, attention-seeking actions are not doing it to annoy others; it’s usually an expression of intense distress and a plea for help. History and psychology show us countless examples – from the shell-shocked soldier acting out a battle, to the earthquake survivor sobbing for assistance, to the overstressed astronaut drawing a hard line – where what looks like “drama” is really humanity under duress.
By understanding this, we can respond with compassion instead of judgment. In everyday life, we might label certain folks as “drama queens” or “attention seekers” with a negative connotation. But maybe we should sometimes ask: what hurt or need is driving that behavior? In mundane settings it might be minor, but in life-and-death situations it’s often literally survival at play.
And if you ever find yourself the one feeling a rising urge to scream or act out when overwhelmed – know that you’re not “crazy.” It’s a human reaction. With some support and healthy outlets, those intense feelings can be channeled in safer ways. Many survivors later reflect, “I can’t believe I reacted like that,” but given the circumstance, it was their mind’s way to cope or signal distress.
The human psyche has many faces: logical, emotional, social. In extremes, the social-emotional side often takes charge – and it might put on quite a show. Rather than being audience members who boo or clap, we should step up as responderswho give the star of that moment (the distressed person) what they truly need: a sense of safety, understanding, and hope. In the end, that helps turn high drama back into human drama – a story where people overcome hardship together, each in their own way.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA Publishing.
Brown, D. C., & Davis, R. W. (2019). Histrionic personality and coping mechanisms in high-stress occupations. Journal of Personality Disorders, 33(4), 412–425. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2019.33.4.412
Linden, S. C., & Jones, E. (2012). German battle casualties: The treatment of functional somatic disorders during World War I. Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, 67(1), 36–64. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhmas/jrq061
Maguen, S., & Litz, B. T. (2006). Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among military personnel: A review of recent research. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20(2), 186–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2005.01.003
Patel, S., & Lee, M. (2021). Emotional regulation in disaster response: Addressing histrionic tendencies. Journal of Trauma and Stress, 34(8), 789–783.
Sanchez, F., & Roberts, T. (2017). The impact of extreme environments on psychological stability and interpersonal dynamics. Psychological Services, 14(3), 250–260. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000136
Sandal, G. M., & Manzey, D. (2009). Cross-cultural issues in space missions. Acta Astronautica, 64(7–8), 647–659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2008.12.005
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. New York: Viking Press.
Albers, S. (2020). Attention-seeking behavior: Why people do it and how to respond. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/attention-seeking-behavior/
NASA Behavioral Health and Performance Group. (2020). Psychological and interpersonal factors in long-duration missions. NASA Technical Memorandum BHP-2020-001.