I have often found myself wondering whether this or that behavior of mine was just my personality or a symptom of CPTSD. But it's both. CPTSD affects everyone differently. It brings out the worst in your natural characteristics. So if you are naturally shy, you might become overly withdrawn. If you are naturally aggressive, you might become controlling.
But then there are things about CPTSD that are so opposite from my personality. I'm not very emotional personality-wise, but then I have these crazy mood swings that I desperately try to reason myself out of.
I'm pretty low-maintenance according to my personality, but CPTSD is a terribly high-maintenance disorder. This has gotten me into trouble because I tend to, for example, move across the country or out of the country somewhat spontaneously, figuring it'll all work out. I don't mind uncertainty, but CPTSD does not like uncertainty at all. Or I'll work a long day and not take enough breaks. Bad idea with CPTSD. So I've had to become this really annoying person who needs to know what the plans are exactly, and I need to be back by nine so I can do my sleep routine so I can function tomorrow. It's like I'm two different people in one.So I don't blame people when they can't handle being my friend anymore. I have friends with mental disorders that I limit contact with because I can't handle their symptoms for the sake of my own mental health, or simply because their symptoms make them not fun to be with. It sucks. But I get it.
