Journeys Through ADDulthood: The Grief Cycle

Flashcards covering the five stages of the grief cycle following an AD/HD diagnosis as described in 'Journeys Through ADDulthood' by Sar Solden.

Denial

The first stage of the grief cycle where a person may accept AD/HD superficially but continue to question if it applies, often attributing symptoms to personal failings like being "stupid and irresponsible."

Shock

An initial period experienced by a person diagnosed with AD/HD as they face a life-altering event or change of self-view.

Anger

The second stage where one looks back at how AD/HD affected their life, often feeling resentment toward lost opportunities or people who misunderstood them, such as family and teachers.

Bargaining

The third stage where an individual focuses on the hope that medication will be a "magic pill" and sufficient alone as treatment to take care of the AD/HD.

Depression

The fourth stage that occurs when medication doesn't cure everything, leading the individual to feel isolated, lonely, and caught between their old familiar systems and a long road of change.

Pseudo-acceptance

Also called false acceptance, this is a state common at the end of Journey One before a person has deeply integrated the idea of themselves as someone with AD/HD.

True acceptance

The point where an individual stops viewing AD/HD as a weakness of willpower or moral failure and recognizes that while symptoms can be managed, they will still exist.

Journey One

The initial part of the process through the grief cycle where it is common to achieve a false or pseudo-acceptance of the AD/HD diagnosis.

Self-acceptance

A state that takes a much longer time to achieve than initial reality acceptance, allowing a person to live fully and richly with AD/HD.