Speaking of ADHD, it was a constant disappointment to my parents who knew I was smart and yet made so many "stupid" mistakes. When I got out on my own without my parents controlling me, my life spiraled out of control in a lot of ways. My dad deeply disapproved of my choices and even went so far as to say, "with your intellect I thought you'd do more with your life" at the time I was a college graduate, a young parent and also working a dead end job that didn't pay the bills.