Qualitative content analysis reveals themes of grief and self-understanding in late-identified neurodivergent individuals, highlighting a need for better support.
Key Points
This research aims to explore how neurodivergent individuals experience grief and relief following late identification, focusing on their sense of self.
Qualitative content analysis of 225 public social media posts.
Focus on individuals identifying as autistic or having ADHD, mainly discussing their experiences post-diagnosis.
Identification of recurring themes related to grief, relief, and self-understanding.
Four main themes identified, under the overarching 'Grief, Relief, and Belief Cycle': 1) The Life I Could Have Had, 2) Grieving for My Younger Self, 3) Feeling Gratitude, 4) Post-Diagnosis Burnout.
Participants expressed feelings of loss and regret associated with late diagnosis.
Feelings of relief and gratitude were noted for achieving self-understanding through diagnosis.
Identified emotional and practical challenges faced by late-identified individuals, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support.