Multiple Personality Disorder

 Multiple personality disorder is described is an extremely rare mental disorder characterised by at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or dissociated personality states that alternately control a person's behaviour. I'm not saying that I have any such condition but I feel that I do, along with most of the people on this fair planet, display a certain level of character change. A lot of people may not admit it but everyone, to a certain extent, acts how they feel they should act or will behave in a way that will make them accepted by the masses. I myself am guilty of this to quite an extreme level. 
 Whilst I was at Uni I was pulled into the 'lads' lifestyle. I drank a lot, I hit the gym hard and I indulged myself in the esteem destroying humour that we dub 'banter'. At first I was conscious of the fakery I was involved in, I was still myself but I was acting this way to garner the approval of the people I was socialising with. As time wore on I actually found myself enjoying this lifestyle and it became who I was. Unfortunately this rather more brutish personality meant I became rather conceited and arrogant, a thing that wasn't the least bit shameful then but is a cause for embarrassment now. This 'ladish' side of me is something that is strongly pushed down when around my girlfriend's family and other such acquaintances that may not have a vocal objection to this behaviour but would be less than thrilled with it. That doesn't mean to say that when I am around these people that I am not myself, simply a more toned down and reserved version. The most notable change in myself is when I mingle with my older brother and his friends. Over the years I have built up a reputation for being a little bit wild and not altogether seemly. In fact I have been described, on more than one occasion, as the 'weirdest person I have ever met'. When around this certain group of people I revel in voicing taboo opinions and displaying a wilder side of myself. This has continued for a while as it is now expected that I behave as such. It would be a disappointment if I simply sat quietly and enjoyed my drink. No, for the sake of the groups entertainment, I will deliver a performance of such comedic tomfoolery I closely resemble a jester at King's court. Depending on the situation, the crowd and the environment you can act in an almost infinite amount of ways. For years I struggles with this. I always wanted to fit in, I loved to be loved and to do so I would act in anyway that I thought people would respond best to. Now it comes a lot more naturally and I have accepted that as a species we camouflage ourselves as well as the chameleon. You do it, your friends do it, even your parents do it. It is a rare person who doesn't change a single aspect of his ratio when around you to suit the personality you have displayed before them. At the end of the day it is natural to do so and nothing to be ashamed of. Why wouldn't you be the person that people want you to be. So long as you don't jeopardise your individuality.