Sharilyn-
I have a poster of the Mandlebrot set pinned to my office wall. It always fascinated me that such complexity could come from simplicity. I've always thought that its being "created" from a very few simple equations was a hint about the mystery of the Universe.

I am being forced to reexamine a large part of my life, not all of it pleasant, and renew the acquaintance of some old ghosts thought dead. The idea of the PD personality did not spring full blown from the forehead of any of us, but we do share certain traits at a higher level than the general population.

I wonder if the general umbrella of "childhood stress induced traits" would cover much of it? Hypervigilance would be one of mine. An aversion to anger and a powerful self-control, as well. And an ability to "read" others' emotions. Survival tools when you are young. Do those fit you in some form?

Chronic elevation of powerful chemicals would take a toll of some sort. We know that adrenaline (acute stressor) sends us off the deep end. Is it because we over produce or over react, I wonder? And the aversion to anger, etc. Is it simple conditioning ala Skinner? Or does a part of us know that those chemicals destroy us, so we avoid them and seek not novelty? The Hero pays a price. That is one of the reasons he got the job.