Sometimes I wonder how much my personality has affected this disorder... I am so sensative, that even if someone looks at me wrong, I feel like crying. I'm also very gentle natured and couldn't even hurt a fly. Anyone else here categorize themself in this category for personality traits? Just curious

I think I'm good natured--in that I rarely get in a bad mood for long and laugh easily.

But sensitive?
Some would really laugh at that one. I AM very empathethic--but not much sympathethic. Meaning I feel HUGE for your pain--am there right off the bat to help--but I do expect YOU to pitch in.

Generally I have been a tough cookie who has lived in Honduras for 8 years--packed a semi-automatic weapon to go to the grocery store--and had no problem running 2 businesses and hiring and firing when needed. As a younger person, riding a breaking horses was what I did with my spare time. I AM gentle with animals--and people--who deserve it.

I'm the nicest person you'd ever want to know--would give ya the shirt off my back even if I've never met you. Have gone into live gunfire to help an unknown person down and bleeding without a second thought.

But will also shoot straight if needs be and/or do the dirty deeds that need to be done in life and not cry about it later. I AM capable of being a HUGE b#tch if the situation calls for it--and no I don't care if it bothers you--if ya didn't deserve it 10 times over you wouldn't be getting it.
<chuckles>

The thing that bothers me HUGE about this "thing" is that I suddenly HAVE become a real wimp--against my will--which is totally NOT my usual style.

Not even remotely, but like Sandy - I'm what I would consider a good person who's fair and mostly considerate of others.

If anyone is familiar with the Myers-Briggs/Jung personality typing - I'm a INTJ. That pretty much sums me up fairly well.

I'm mostly frustrated - I like answers for things, so far I'm not finding many.

Hi,

Sometimes I can be very sensitive and good natured. I'm always this way with kids and dogs. With people I'm pretty good too, most of the time.

But at other time I can turn into a termagant and it usually arises from seeing someone being unfair to myself or others or from just plain being frustrated with this bloody POTS.

In the final analysis - I'm great with kids and dogs and pretty good most of the time with adults.

One thing POTS and age (52) is teaching me -- is not to judge people because I have absolutely no idea of what is happening in their lives.

But I'm only human and some people give me the sh*ts. That feeling usually turns into disinterest after a time and I could care less about what they do or don't do.

And sometimes I don't know who the hell I am. When I was younger I used to think that by the time I grew old I'd know who I was. I know a lot more about myself now, but I suspect we never really get to know ourselves completely. We are so complex.

The longer this illness has gone on, the more sensitive I get. Sometimes I just want to slap myself to snap out of it.

Sensitive is a nice way to put it. Over-emotional is what I call it. I cry during commericals, tv programs, god forbid if an animal dies on Animal Planet!! I can't even watch the news without getting upset. I say it has alot ot do with our nerves being messed up. I hate how one week I can be a complete basket case at the doctors office~ especially if I have to wait~ and the next week I am calm and collective. I know they think I have an evil twin somewhere, waiting to come out and Yell!

But, gentle......no. I guess I have lost the compasionate part of myself somewhere along the line. I don't feel for others like that. I'm probally harder on most than I should be. But darn it, If I can do it, so can you! I really need to learn to let go of all the resentment! Maybe?!?!LOL

George Clooney and I have the exact birthdate. His Darfur slogan is "not on my watch..." which I have said for a very long time on behalf of my family and patients. I am a fighter, esp. for justice for the underdog. Romance is nice to think of, but I don't do well in the long haul. Same sense of humor as George; capable, absolutely stubborn enough to see anything through, esp, because I know I'm right and demand the respect I deserve. Empathic, outgoing, gregarious, and altruistic. People have said to me "you look like a nurse" - whatever that aura is around me. Most kids call me "mom" or "gramma" - so those qualities: kids usually adore me - that's why I make a great pediatric RN. It takes way too much sensory overload to make me cry - I'd rather be angry enough to make the changes that saves lives, mine or others. Typical Chinese Ox. C.

quote:

Originally posted by nitekitty:
The longer this illness has gone on, the more sensitive I get. Sometimes I just want to slap myself to snap out of it.

LOL, Kitty. Sometimes I'm just so bloody sick of myself. And at other times I'm quite pleased with myself. LOL.

Sheez, Sandy...I want to be you when I grow up!

So, about me. I'm a red-head...they say that goes along with a feisty temper, but I never really had the temper thing until I got POTS. I have always been sensitive and empathetic, but, my sympathy definitely has its limits...depending on the situation. I'll listen to your problems and if any advice will help - I'll offer it and stand by you to help you achieve it, but if you don't try and you just want to whine again about the same thing...you're gonna have to talk to my endlessly patient hubby. I can't tolerate self-pity.

Sometimes I can cry at the drop of a hat...and went thru many scary years of illness doing just that, as I knew I was "dying" and no one was figuring it out. Now that I have a dx, I pay closer attention to my moods. If I feel anxious, tired or weepy- I take care of myself. I know that weepiness can sink me, so I try really hard to avoid it (bury my head in a good book) when I feel it coming on.

But, as I age (42) I think I've become both less judgemental and tougher. Tougher because I care less about how people judge me and less judgemental because I know how wrongly I've been judged and I always think about the fact that you can never know why someone is behaving the way they are if you don't know their story. Yet, I'm still very black and white about right and wrong...just we can't alway know why someones actions may not seem right at the time.

Hi Sheri,

I'm 52 and want to grow up and be like Sandy too. She's got moxie.