Sorry, I Missed This: The Everything Guide to ADHD and Relationships with Cate Osborn ADHD grief isn’t linear — and that’s totally normal
Jul 1, 2025
Rachel Hopkins, a licensed professional counselor with expertise in ADHD and grief, joins to discuss the unique challenges faced by those with ADHD during the grieving process. They explore how emotional intensity, time blindness, and memory struggles create a nonlinear mourning journey. Rachel emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and community support and offers strategies for those grappling with grief to manage their emotions effectively. Insights are shared on balancing distraction and avoidance, while addressing the societal pressures surrounding grief.
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Nonlinear ADHD Grief
- ADHD grief is nonlinear and chaotic, unlike the traditional stages of grief.
- ADHDers experience grief as intense, fluctuating emotions all mixed together rather than sequential stages.
Time Blindness Impacts Grief
- Time blindness makes grieving on society's timelines difficult for ADHDers.
- Avoidance may occur because the jagged experience of grief feels wrong compared to expected slow waves.
Guilt from Forgetting Grief Dates
- Cate forgot her dad's death anniversaries due to ADHD time perception.
- She felt immense guilt before understanding her brain works differently, easing her shame.
