I was not completely unaware of failing most classes in high school and having to get a GED despite wanting to do my homework and study for tests. I was very motivated and interested in the subjects, I could just not focus enough to complete my work. This caused me to have an adverse reaction to even starting a project/task which I still struggle with today (even though it's much easier now).

So while I can of course not predict what would have happened, I can pretty safely say my life path would have been completely different had I had a chance to get treated earlier. I would have gone to college, at least.

I'm not sure what your point is.

My point is that you're ginning up a scenario in your head that wasn't ever going to happen, and you're doing it so that you can feel bad about things for a little bit because feeling bad is nostalgic. You don't really need loose ideas like that rolling around your head when you're taking these meds. That was your old life.

>My point is that you're ginning up a scenario in your head that wasn't ever going to happen

Do you mean that if I had been able to treat my disorder earlier, nothing would have been different? I don't dwell on it, but to say my academic success would have been wildly different medicated is just wrong.

> I was not completely unaware of failing most classes in high school and having to get a GED despite wanting to do my homework and study for tests.

This was pretty much me as well. I remember at the start of every new school year promising this time it would be different. I would do my homework and pay attention in classes and get good grades! Each year it spiraled into the same mess. Diagnosed with ADHD in my 30's.

We're not unaware though. We know we are capable of doing these things because we can do them exceptionally well in short bursts of hyper-focus. We see the potential and we desire the outcomes. We lack the executive function to put those things into action consistently.