Thank you again for a detailed answer! From what you are saying, I would not be quick to suggest that you have ADHD either.

For one, the traits that you listed are in the overlap with ASD (to my knowledge).

Re-reading your comments, it looks like you don't feel like ASD applies to you however there is even less good information about ASD than about ADHD or PTSD. I never thought it could apply to me until I looked at some recent materials on it.

FWIW, I'm a social butterfly too, and never felt I have trouble reading faces, but growing up with a BPD parent, being able to detect an incoming rage was a vital skill which I developed early on. At the same time, self-assessments (as well as relatable experiences of autistic people with ADHD) indicate at least a likelihood of ASD for me as well.

"Autistics can't read faces" is straight up a myth. I don't know how much you looked into ASD communities on social media, but it's amazing just how many false beliefs persisted in the medical community for ages. FFS, we only stopped zapping autistic kids for being autistic last year.

There are a lot of misconceptions about ASD that have been resolved only in recent years. The traits you said don't apply to you, in fact, are known to not match the experience of many autistic people.

The thing about an autism diagnosis as an adult is that it doesn't really bring much value. There are no meds. You have already figured out all the coping mechanisms and necessary masking to get by in life. And if you are in control of your environment, then it doesn't affect you negatively.

Like, sensory sensitivity is not an issue in your own home, and you can avoid environments that make you uncomfortable. Same goes for people. Hyperfocus is an asset more than anything else.

So for me, finding out that I might be on the spectrum was a curious observation that could explain some of my behavior patterns, but didn't need much attention (unlike the trauma, which I'm only beginning to approach, or ADHD).

I wish I knew more about ASD to ask the right questions, but out of curiosity:

* What is your relationship with planning? Do you tend to plan most of the things that you do? Do you enjoy unplanned activities? How do you react when the plans you made are suddenly changed?

* How easy is it for you to lie? Do you feel comfortable telling a falsehood when answering a question?

* What's your relationship with things? When you buy something (say, a gadget), how long do you use it for? Is it easy for you to throw things away? Can you tell stories associated with most of the things that you own?

* Have you ever had other people confused about your emotions? Like, being perceived as feeling very emotional when you aren't, and vice versa; or otherwise having a mismatch about how others read you, and how you feel.

* The things that you'd be glad to infodump about upon request - how long have you been interested in them, on the average?

* Have you ever felt that you are being clear and direct, but another person took it personally and got offended for no good reason (other than them being unable to hold a coherent argument)? If so, does this happen regularly?

Thank you again for giving such detailed answers, they are very helpful, and help me understand CPTSD, ADHD, and ASD better (as well as myself)!