I am considered perfectionist also! Obstinent, stubborn, determined, hellbent... they are my middle names. It is my quality and fault at the same time!
Kathy: I agree with claire, stubborn does not mean it's bad. For example, my determination and stubborn refusal to give up on something when I decide I want it has helped me to survive. When there is little control over anything else: self-control, self-determination, or being stubborn, can be all a person has to rely on without falling into absolute helplessness and chaos. If that happened, insanity would shortly follow. Evie's independency and stubbornness if you like may well make it difficult for her to open up... I certainly have similar problems as a person who likes to keep total control over myself andmy vulnerability (Another way PTSD is hell to me!). It may have contributed to her need to run, and take control in her own avoidant way... avoidance is a coping mechanism - just a bad one that does not work in the long run. Extreme independent and stubborn traits could be the same. Perhaps that saved her as well as hindered her?
(Sorry Evie... I know you may read this at some point, I feel like I am talking about you as if you are not here, which I am sure you will be at some point.... tell me straight if my opinion in this way is unwelcome or wrong!)
I certainly feel my determination is that way for me... was talking to my therapist about this yesterday actually! If I wasn't the way I am I would have been dead long ago. But if I wasn't the way I am, I wouldn't so often push myself to the edge in ways that I probably shouldn't. I think perhaps sometimes extreme or unshakeably strong traits are a part of a past coping mechanism that hasn't yet realised does not need to be in such full use. In some ways that is a lot of what PTSD can be about... the survival mode being permanently switched on when it does not need to be anymore in reaction to the ultimate and most primitive thing being under threat -life. Any coping mechanisms that helped during that threatened phase would be difficult to drop in PTSD. My long winded theory is that extreme emotion/reaction/action/trait/thinking style etc. etc. also applies as much as the fight/flight response in PTSD....
It's about balance for me. I'm not very good at it (literally and metaphorically speaking!). I find it difficult to learn to lay off myself.
She Cat - Interesting that most others who have replied say they have perfectionist traits! I'm glad nobody thinks a personality 'type' 'causes' PTSD because I doubt anything is that simple, particularly in PTSD. However, the perfectionist element may be related to control issues as they typically are... and it is theorised and shown in studies that one aspect of why trauma can be traumatic is because it is unpredicted, unexpected, uncontrollable, alongside extremely threatening.... so maybe perfectionist personalities have a vulnerability to PTSD in a small way. I don't believe it is something hugely significant, but maybe a possible contributory factor? Nobody knows how many factors there are and what these factors are which contribute to the onset of PTSD, and other disorders also. Researchers are constantly testing out and finding significant results in a wide range of approaches from trait theorists to neurobiology... seems to be interaction of a number of factors starting with the trauma, a whole load of factors in the middle, and ending up in different neurological and psychological processing, extreme distress and survival reactions, thus PTSD. Nobody knows.... fascinating though!
I like the post... gives my noodle a bit of exercise!
