I just came out at school. I’m 55 y.o. and have had employment and career issues my whole life due to ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc. I’m studying to be a special education teacher and just failed my student teaching practicum due to my mental illness. I’ve had a difficult time accepting the effect ADHD has had on my efforts to be an effective employee. Part of me still thinks it’s a pretend disease.

I admire your efforts and willingness to remove the stigma. I’ve spoken up at work and school when requesting accommodations, only when I’ve been there for a couple of years.

I related so much to your experience. I cried (in a good way) when someone diagnosed me with depression. It made so much sense. But after the diagnosis comes a tremendous amount of work and commitment to get to the starting line of “normal”, and then to reach your potential and then to excel. I wish you all the success and I can’t wait until there are millions more like you and the stigma is gone.