I start to tear up when I read accounts of ADHD that resonate with me. I’ve spent so much time denying my diagnosis, convinced that my symptoms were just personality flaws to overcome, not strong or debilitating or “real” enough to have a pathological explanation.

I’m just lazy and careless. ADHD is over-diagnosed these days anyway. That’s what they say.

Time blindness? It’s just not trying hard enough, not paying attention to the clock. That’s what they say. It’s disrespectful to be late. Just pay attention!

Time moves whether you watch it or not.

Rejection sensitivity. How can you have a thick skin, while also being so afraid of criticism? I don’t know, yet here I am: able to stand by stoically in the face of customers unleashing their fury about policies I’m simply enforcing while earning minimum wage, but unable to handle any personal constructive criticism without wallowing in bed and feeling worthless for half a day or so.

Perfectionism. I must be perfect, I must try my resolute best, because then, no one can criticize me, shattering my self-worth. I’m not perfect, I’m so lazy. How can I be a perfectionist? Therein lies the paradoxical nature of perfectionism: you can always try harder, and you can never be perfect.