There’s no reason to try and appear strong and “well functioning” towards your doctor like you are probably used to doing for everyone else.

Just wanted to add onto this something I only recently found out about myself, and I can’t imagine I’m alone in this. There really isn’t a “mask off” version of “me,” because I started so early and it’s been so long (I’m in my 40s). I basically grew around the mask. When the mask is gone, it’s shattered. What’s left of “me” at that point is just a quivering pile of trauma, repression, guilt/shame, and maladaptive coping skills. There’s no in-between, just high- and non-functioning.

Yes, I am in therapy working on it. Double yes, it makes it difficult for anyone to believe that there’s anything amiss until I break. Tis no fun.