Themes Mistakes Were Made Lucy Score

ADHD and Neurodivergence in Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score

Thematic Claim

In Mistakes Were Made, the theme of ADHD and neurodivergence operates not as a flaw to be hidden but as a key to self-understanding and community support. The novel normalizes the late-diagnosis experience—especially for women—by showing that learning management strategies and accepting help can transform a lifetime of shame into genuine self-acceptance. Through Zoey Moody’s journey, author Lucy Score (who shares a late ADHD diagnosis herself) argues that neurodivergence is both treatable and a source of strength when met with the right resources and people.

Diagnosis in an Unlikely Place (Chapter 18)

Zoey’s ADHD diagnosis arrives not in a doctor’s office but during a routine visit to grumpy retired psychologist Opal Mallory. Opal grills Zoey with a series of pointed questions: “Do you have a hard time following conversations in noisy places?” “Do you feel ashamed all the time?” “Does alcohol quiet your brain?” Zoey is stunned to recognize herself in every query. Opal then drops two books in her lap and declares, “ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. My guess is you have it. A raging case of it.”

This moment is the plot’s first major turn regarding neurodivergence. Zoey initially dismisses the idea as “an ‘elementary school boy’ thing,” revealing the widespread misconception that only hyperactive children can have ADHD. Opal corrects her: “Girls and women are usually diagnosed late because their symptoms look different.” She explains that undiagnosed girls grow up with “exasperated parents and teachers who think you’re just not applying yourself,” creating a “pain‑in‑the‑ass shame spiral.”

The diagnosis is framed as hopeful. Opal calls ADHD “one of the most treatable chronic conditions in the world” and tells Zoey to stop wasting energy on things she can’t do and instead focus on what she’s good at. This sets up the novel’s core message: neurodivergence is not a moral failing, and the right perspective can turn it into an asset.

Sharing the News with Gage (Chapter 21)

After her appointment with a kinder therapist recommended by Opal, Zoey confesses her diagnosis to Gage Bishop. She admits she’s “scared shitless” that the therapy and medication won’t work, and she articulates the deep fear that has haunted her: “What if I’m just…broken?” Gage’s response is immediate and grounded. He knows about ADHD because his nephew Harry was diagnosed in junior high, and the family took “a crash course” to help with accommodations. He validates her feelings, calls the shame spiral “god‑awful,” and tells her she has “a few more decades of shit to unravel” but will be “better than okay.”

This conversation is critical because it shows Zoey moving from isolation to connection. Rather than hiding her neurodivergence, she shares it with someone who responds with knowledge and compassion. Gage also introduces the idea of outsourcing tasks that are difficult (like following verbal directions) and suggests talking to Harry for peer support. The scene reframes the diagnosis as something that can be understood and managed, not a permanent sentence.

Standing Up to Family (Chapter 38)

The most emotionally charged exploration of neurodivergence occurs when Zoey’s parents visit for her birthday. They spend the lunch mocking her childhood struggles—forgetting homework, losing her locker combination—and blaming her for their divorce. Zoey finally speaks up: “The reason I was ‘so difficult’ is called ADHD, and if I’d had a diagnosis earlier, my entire life could have been easier.”

Her parents are not listening; they immediately pivot to their own grievances. Gage steps in, pays the bill, and orders them to leave. The community—restaurant owner Wes, influencer Brinsley, and other diners—surround Zoey with support on her behalf. This scene demonstrates that even when biological family fails to accept neurodivergence, a chosen family can offer the validation and love that was missing. Zoey’s parents’ dismissal underscores the real‑world harm of late diagnosis: the years of internalized shame that cannot be undone in one conversation. Yet Zoey’s act of speaking her diagnosis aloud, in front of witnesses, marks a turning point in her self‑acceptance.

Character Connections

The novel weaves neurodivergence through multiple supporting characters, creating a tapestry of different experiences.

  • Opal Mallory serves as the catalyst. Her blunt diagnosis and refusal to let Zoey wallow in self‑pity (“Stop wasting your time berating yourself for not doing things you can’t do”) model the tough‑love approach that many ADHD advocates recommend. Opal’s own struggles—she has a drawer full of manuscripts she’s never tried to publish—show that neurodivergence can coexist with creative genius and that it’s never too late to pursue a passion.

  • Gage Bishop embodies the supportive partner who does not try to “fix” Zoey but instead learns alongside her. He cuts her waffles, creates a home office, stocks her closet, and helps her manage executive function challenges. His earlier experience with Harry makes him uniquely prepared to offer practical help without pity.

  • Hazel Hart, Zoey’s best friend, provides emotional stability. In Chapter 36, Hazel admits she’s afraid Zoey will leave Story Lake, and Zoey reassures her. Hazel’s own anxiety (seen in her desperate meet‑cute joke) parallels Zoey’s journey of learning to accept care from others.

  • Felicity, a supporting character with agoraphobia, offers a direct parallel. In Chapter 32, Zoey and Felicity bond over being “messed‑up girls.” Felicity explains her panic attacks and how she “kept making my world smaller.” Zoey realizes she too has been building safe spaces—but in her case, the safe space includes Gage’s arms and the Story Lake community. Both characters are in the process of expanding their worlds, suggesting that neurodivergence and mental health challenges are part of a spectrum of human experience that can be navigated with courage and support.

Symbolism and Management

The disco ball necklace that Zoey always wears becomes a symbol of self‑illumination and acceptance. When she tells Gage about her diagnosis, he taps the charm—a gesture that says “I see you, and you are bright.” The necklace reappears in key emotional scenes, grounding Zoey when her mind is spinning.

Zoey’s ADHD management strategies, revealed in the epilogue, are practical and human: a paper calendar (she can’t use calendar apps), headphones to block noise, and Gage’s help with reminders. The novel does not promise a cure; instead, it shows that neurodivergent people can build systems that work for them. Zoey’s financial troubles are solved not by her own hyperfocus but by Opal’s advance, reinforcing the theme that it’s okay to accept help.

Complexity and Contradictions

The novel does not romanticize ADHD. Zoey’s parents’ refusal to believe her diagnosis highlights how societal ignorance perpetuates shame. Even after diagnosis, Zoey still struggles: she forgets things, she interrupts, she impulsively sleeps with Gage on a farm. The epilogue shows that life is still messy—she and Gage nearly start a fire watching meteor showers—but the judgment has been replaced by acceptance.

Another complexity is that the novel’s recommended resources (Dr. Russell Barkley, Tracy Otsuka, How to ADHD) are presented without endorsing a single “right” way to be neurodivergent. Lucy Score’s Author’s Note emphasizes that even after years of research and medication, she still can’t follow verbal directions or use a calendar app. The point is not perfection but self‑compassion: “I no longer wallow in shame spirals triggered by executive function mishaps.”

The novel also acknowledges that ADHD can co‑exist with other mental health challenges. Zoey’s mention of alcohol as “brain quiet” hints at self‑medication, and the story shows her learning to replace that with healthier coping mechanisms. It is not a simple feel‑good narrative; it is a realistic portrayal of ongoing work.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Opal Mallory’s diagnosis of Zoey challenge common misconceptions about ADHD in women?
Opal explains that girls and women are typically diagnosed late because their symptoms present differently—less hyperactive, more internalized. Zoey’s assumption that ADHD is only for “little boys who couldn’t sit still” is directly rebutted, opening the door for her to reframe her entire life’s struggles.

2. What role does Gage Bishop’s family history with Harry play in his ability to support Zoey?
Gage’s nephew Harry was diagnosed in junior high, and the Bishop family took “a crash course” in ADHD to help with accommodations. This prior knowledge allows Gage to recognize Zoey’s shame spiral and offer concrete empathy rather than platitudes. He does not treat the diagnosis as a crisis.

3. Why is Zoey’s revelation of her ADHD to her parents in Chapter 38 both a triumph and a disappointment?
It is a triumph because Zoey publicly reclaims her narrative and refuses to accept blame for her childhood difficulties. It is a disappointment because her parents dismiss the diagnosis and continue their abusive behavior. The scene shows that external validation is not always available, but self‑advocacy remains valuable.

4. How does the novel use supporting characters like Felicity to expand the theme of neurodivergence?
Felicity’s agoraphobia mirrors Zoey’s anxiety and shame. Their conversation about “growing your safe space” shows that different minds need different environments. Zoey learns that her safe space can be a person (Gage) rather than just a place, and Felicity learns to let others in.

5. What does the epilogue suggest about successful ADHD management in the long term?
The epilogue shows Zoey using a paper calendar, headphones, and Gage’s practical support—not a perfect system but a functional one. She still makes mistakes (the meteor‑shower fire) but no longer spirals into shame. The message is that management is about building a life that works for your brain, not about curing yourself.