(((Aloneandafraid))) Yes, it is amazing to have those sudden realizations. Sometimes I think we're lucky to have this pattern. If you look at the wiki article, one of the other patterns that develops is that the child turns out just like the parent. The temperament in which we're born is really just luck. So there is a positive component to this. I'm glad you are able to bring this up to your therapist soon and hope you let us know how it works out.

(((Petra5ed))) Yes, that's the thing--it doesn't work in the end, and causes us more pain. Thank you for sharing. There is a real you. And it will feel beautiful when you begin to experience it, although you probably have already caught glimpses of it here and there I'm guessing.