[falcolas]

After 35 years undiagnosed, I feel quite confident when I say there is no upside. Only lots of "if only I had known, I could have finished college", or "if only I had known, I would be the person running this company"...

I didn't know, and so I struggled mightily against myself to get to where I am today. In the few months during which time I have been medicated, I have made more career progress than any 5 other years prior.

[astazangasta]

"I took a drug and it had a nootropic effect" does not mean you had a brain disorder. What they give you to treat your "disorder" is amphetamines. Lots of people on Wall Street are enhancing their performance with cocaine. I'm sure this results in plenty of career progress - more energy, more confidence, etc. This does not mean they had a disorder beforehand.

[jotm]

I believe it is a disorder if it (severely) impairs your life.

We only get half a decade of productive life, if something that makes us piss away that time is not a disorder, well then wtf is it?

[astazangasta]

This is like saying not knowing group theory or being a loud asshole who people have trouble getting along with is a disorder. These are also things that can be improved, possibly with the help of drugs. They are not disorders.