I Have ADHD Podcast 345 BITESIZE | The Life I Could’ve Lived: Grieving a Late ADHD Diagnosis
Oct 23, 2025
Dive into the complexities of grieving a late ADHD diagnosis. Explore how grief plays a crucial role in processing feelings of regret and loss. Discover practical tips like journaling and movement to navigate this emotional landscape. Learn the balance of holding regrets while finding gratitude for newfound insights. Kristen emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness as a path to compassion and understanding for past choices. It's a heartfelt exploration of growth and acceptance.
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Caller Explains Late Diagnosis Regret
- Dana Young, age 46, describes discovering ADHD recently and starting medication which changed her life.
- She asks how to move past regret about missed opportunities because of the late diagnosis.
Grief Is The Core Response To Late Diagnosis
- Late ADHD diagnosis often triggers deep grief tied to accumulated misunderstandings and missed opportunities.
- Kristen Carder frames grief as the primary emotional work needed to process a newly diagnosed adult life.
Allow A Defined Grieving Process
- Allow yourself weeks, months, or even years to grieve the losses connected to not knowing earlier.
- Use this grieving period as the pathway to eventual acceptance and healing.