Psychiatrist Kunihiko Tominaga rereads Dazai’s novels, letters, and chronology through a medical lens

 Psychiatrist Kunihiko Tominaga rereads Dazai’s novels, letters, and chronology through a medical lens, linking impulsive acts, substance abuse, social anxiety, and excessive talkativeness to core ADHD symptoms. Repeated suicide attempts, turbulent romances, and creative bursts are framed as self-regulation difficulties stemming from undiagnosed neurodivergence. Using DSM-IV criteria, he weighs family history and era, viewing traits as characteristics rather than illness, thus enriching both disability awareness and literary interpretation. Appendices include a self-check list, timeline, and major-works guide.