Olivia Sod, a millennial career and lifestyle expert who runs the site TheDIYFeminist.com, also teaches English online.
"I wish my boss knew about my illness, premenstrual dysphoric disorder," she told Business Insider. "Living with PMDD means that 10 days before my period, I become a different person: All of the energy drains out of me, I feel depressed and anxious, and I'll burst into tears for no reason."
She said although she tries her best to manage her symptoms, there's nothing she can do to make them go away completely. As a result, she sometimes won't be able to show up for work.
"So, instead, I'll send an email about having a fake illness," she said.
Similarly, Dana, who has opted to use a pseudonym, told Business Insider she wishes her bosses knew that her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, isn't an excuse, nor does it make her a bad employee.
She said her ADHD is something she struggles with and wishes she didn't have — but unfortunately does. In spite of it, she's still hard-working, yet enthusiastic and eager. Sometimes that eagerness results in small — but easily fixable — mistakes, she said.
"I have to work within the parameters to make it work for me, even though it primarily works against me in the corporate world," Dana said. "So, bosses, work with me on it, give me the comfort and space to share that I have it with you, and ask me what I need to make it work for both of us."