skysblue, I think there is a huge distinction between a fundamental character flaw like a personality defect, and just having things you do that are undesirable or not liking the way you think. I'm not sure which you mean.

For instance, my mother has been institutionalized at least once her life and been to numerous doctors and tried therapy once when forced to go by her doctor (he said she had to go or he was having her involuntarily committed again). However, despite all of that, she is still a total narcissist who is unable to comprehend that she cannot do anything she wants to us just because we are her children. She was physically and sexually abusive, and yet would force us to comfort HER after she beat us, because of what we made her do. Her behavior persists to this day although she is no longer physically violent (thank god for that pain killer addiction!). My T says that changing someone like my mother is impossible, unless that person is willing to SEE what is wrong and really commit to working VERY hard on a daily basis to change.

For me however, I do tend toward sloth and anger (if we're talking about the seven deadly defects). I also lust -- a lot. I fight with myself to get off my butt and not wallow in self-pity. I struggle with self loathing in therapy ALL THE TIME and cannot seem to learn the lessons T keeps trying to teach me. My T assures me that changing some patterns is just a matter of repetition. It's slow and tedious but we eventually improve.

Can you look back over the last year and see no improvement whatsoever? I have not seen anything on this board anyway that would lead me to believe you have a serious character flaw.