There is a negative stigma around personality disorders in the USA, people tend to sympathize more with PTSD(something I've heard multiple types of professionals say).
I disagree that "all people with long term childhood trauma and CPTSD have a personality disorder".
I am no professional however, there is no long term study backing this and if there is one exemption then that wording is flawed(I am one, I have CPTSD was diagnosed by someone who specialized in BPD) and she was adimant I don't have a personality disorder(I asked cause my mother had pushed, that she felt I had one).
The type of thinking that comes with this is common of those who keep to thinking that is considered antiquated by those who go through continuing education/stay up to date/specialize in personality disorders. I've listened to other professionals say this comes of that era/thinking that hindered treatment/treatment options for those **who do have personality disorders** and yes one of the harmful thought patterns in that was **that x one is too hard to treat**(though most who specialize in x personality disorder obviously don't feel that way). There's been a lot of growth and development in the field since those days.
Even the textbook example, of BPD, has been a condition where there are workbooks, specialists, medication options(it **can be treated**), that is stressed by those who specialize(now). Even ASPD, has those who specialize (and simply adapt treatment to something that aligns with how that individual thinks/is driven). Spoiler: most with ASPD aren't dysfunctional or evil.
The antiquated thinking, was lumped in in a time when harmful steretoypes of how "treatable things are"(back in the times when those disorders, weren't as well understood).
I say this as someone who did the reading, spoke to those who specialize in more then one type of personality disorder for years, given I was close to folks with them.
Though honestly every trauma expert I've listened to who helped with CPTSd had a particular personality disorder they personally had a hard time considering/maybe treating due to personal hang ups, which in my observation, may have to do with someone simply being beyond their comfort zone (they aren't personally specialized in it and rather then admit it's beyond them that way, they may turn to judgement of it). Should they? Absolutely not(it's not professional)but it happens(they are people too, and flawed).
What would I advise to you?
If I had found someone who thought I may have a personality disorder because some symptoms overlap with CPTSD and their thinking patterns, tend to be ones that **those who specialize in it**, would frown at, because it **limits treatment options** or leaves them with a distaste for something **they believe I have **, I would seek someone who specializes in **that personality disorder**, and specialize in therapies and methods(for that) and would be honest with them.
Having what you have isn't about the stigma(though yes, facing people like this and facing your own surprise/shock) is something that comes up due to stereotypes and stigma, and snap judgements.
Sometimes people "met one person with x", sometimes they "knew someone who", "knew someone who knew someone ", sometimes they have trauma tied to"(what they may even unprofessionally assume), some didn't continue their education(and it shows) or feel beyond their depth, or are a professional triggered by the idea of(stories they'd heard, fears in their own minds) they don't specialize in it(so they have hang ups and stigma too).
None of that is most important. That is snap judgement and fear, that is a them issue and a sign to you that that individual isn't in the place to treat you, or know you for the complete picture of who you are to help you see a way through.
The stigma is terrible and unfair and people stay silent , some don't even seek help or they stay anonymous because they have to biuld up significant trust to be honest about this bit(if they do have a personality disorder) and that's sad and unfair and I acknowledge that.
However, so do many face many forms of stigma even by professionals(not just those with personality disorders).
So they are not alone..but the way forward isn't in focusing on that or those who behave unprofessionally (it hurts, and isn't "right " and surely sometimes we need to process where we weren't actively listened to, etc, where we didn't get effective treatment or help due to snap judgements if we as an individual have ever faced that sort of thing).
But the way forward isn't just acknowledging the emotions/unfairness/lost opportunities, it's finding professionals who don't have stigma, don't pass that kind of judgement(and finding several of them even) to get a clear answer not laced in judgement and having their help navigating helpful therapies/meds/bigger picture where we are supported in a way that isn't antiquated because it isn't helpful to helping you feel better(not perfect,not unlike you, but helped just the same), better for your sake.
It also may mean learning to feel more accepting(in a non harmful to others) way of ourselves(being accountable yet not perpetuating stigma unto ourselves as our "own bullies", many do this to themselves regardless of label(so self compassion though really really really hard for some labels, some version of that) without *staying victim*(and not depression/shame spiraling) for example not being pray to **your unique version of 4f responses**(cause yeah, I can list at least 2 personality disorders that deal with this in unique ways) cause personality disorders are:genetic and environmental and linked to trauma(but not inherent in those with childhood trauma).
Know I am not judging you here, and wish you well(regardless of labels)and commend you seeking to be well(and moving forward with that), there are ways forward with this(said with care, by someone who has loved those with personality disorders).