The defense in Jerry Sandusky's child sexual abuse trial is suggesting that a personality disorder explains some of the charges the former Penn State assistant football coach, but one expert says that may be a stretch.
Sandusky's lawyers are arguing that he suffers from histrionic personality disorder. It's defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking. It's often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior and rapidly shifting emotions.
According to the National Institutes of Health, histrionic personality disorder occurs more often in women than in men.
At least one expert wonders if it is a separate personality disorder, or just an aspect of broader personality defects.