Black women & the ADHD disparity | My ADHD story

For 23 years I struggled with undiagnosed ADHD. It tremendously affected my life and caused my depression to suffer greatly. After being diagnosed, my mindset completely shifted and I felt like a burden was lifted from my shoulders! Despite this, I can't help but feel great sadness for the black women and girls currently suffering from ADHD & other mental heath conditions with little to no access to quality healthcare. In this video, discuss my ADHD journey and the disparity in screenings and diagnosis for black women. I also cover why this topic is so necessary for us.

Let's Connect:

K-12 00:00
COLLEGE 03:34
COVID/TURNING POINT 05:28
DIAGNOSIS 08:05
ADHD Disparity for Black Women/Girls 13:50
Words of Encouragement 20:51

Adhd symptoms, my adhd story, adhd diagnosis, black women adhd

[ParisLeShea]

I can soooo relate. I did the most ADHD thing ever: I forgot I was diagnosed. Seriously.

Just like you, as soon as I got to college, everything fell apart. After pretty much flunking out of school, I was desperate and went to see a psychologist at my school’s disability office.

The result? “Oh, you have ADHD and dyscalculia.” Well that was in 2011.

I didn’t get diagnosed by my own doctor until 2022, ELEVEN YEARS later. I struggled all through my twenties because I genuinely forgot that I had ADHD.

And yes, the hardest part that I come to grips with is always “why didn’t anyone else catch this sooner?!”

Culturally, Black people (I can only speak from the Black American perspective) typically shun things that have to do with mental illness or disability. We either don’t address it or it’s “they’re a little slow” or “lazy” or whatever other negative connotation you want to use. I wish there was more understanding about ADHD and how it specifically affects Black women because there’s sooo much to unpack there.

[onceuponanexploration]

The lack of support that gifted minorities experience during their academic careers is just awful. It is absolutely awful.

[Jada_RE]

I had almost the exact same journey. We see each other, girl. You are definitely not alone ❤

[MissMaweja]

"I was excited to be there, but they were not excited to have me" ~ the Story of my life in _certain_ spaces

[MissMaweja]

"How has no one ever noticed?" ~ I heard this a few weeks ago. 💔😔

[tashibalampkin]

I can really relate to your story. Like, the "nobody to hold you accountable" point really spoke to me. When COVID hit, mess hit the fan. I broke down. That's when I should have left school. But I wanted to jug along and try. I got diagnosed with depression and was put on meds. And things get better...for a little. But eventually I left college, which left me so ashamed.
I'm back in school now (2 years later) and when it comes to work, sometimes, I can't just do it. Imagine a "do school work" lever in the mind. That lever isn't pulled until the last minute. And it pisses me off. I'm trying to do things step at a time, but man that mess is hard. The amount of times I sat at my desk staring at my laptop and doing nothing is insane. Even getting ready to study exhausts me. Powering up my computer, getting my books, setting up my notes, etc just makes me mentally tired. Stuff sucks. But I'm trying to see about psychiatrist. Because yah girl is at her breaking point.

[keylove]

Undiagnosis is not the issue. Depression is really societal suppression of authencity. Outside "diagnosis" is a psychological projection onto empathic beings. You are on your hero's journey, which means you can diagnose yourself. "Know thyself" leads to receiving info from nature.

[Teiimei]

I relate soo much to this. My symptoms got so much worse after the pandemic and in the SAME YEAR, leaving school, having a very close bereavement and having to cut off most of my social circle. All of that messed up my mental health and my ADHD symptoms have gotten so bad. My forgetfulness is very severe and I have to re-read things more than 3 times to help it sink in. Half of my assignments are half finished. Coherent thought is also really hard in combination with depression and anxiety. I feel I'm starting to become a liability for my patients (i work in healthcare as a student) because i am making more mistakes, because of forgetfulness and slower processing, that are causing potential harm. As a result my colleagues have to help in often for things i've already been taught multiple times because i forget. I am starting to doubt if i can pass my course. I'm finding it so hard to mask because of the pressure. I am on the waiting list for a diagnosis.

[ebony]

I really resonate with this, thank you for this video. As someone who just got diagnosed at 32 I really spent my life struggling in school feeling “stupid” and knowing that it was ADHD has really helped quiet that voice for me

[mitch-tess]

Thank you for speaking your truth. There's so many people out there who will appreciate your bravery here.

[Brandon_Agil]

We have almost the same story, it’s crazy

[EricMobley]

This is one of the best ADHD videos I've seen on YouTube. Thank you so much for sharing your story! I was diagnosed this year in April. I am 30 years old. I always thought I was different, slow, and odd. I have also struggled with depression and anxiety & I agree--being diagnosed & treated for ADHD has helped tremendously! Thank you for highlighting the importance of ADHD and black women. This is certainly not discussed enough. Please know you're never alone!

[edilizaperalta]

I think you might be saving my life right now. Thank you!

[speakingofmeesh]

Thank you sooo much for telling your story. This was my exact story. I knew something was wrong with me but I didn’t know I had ADHD or depression. I found out about the depression mid 20s and then ADHD in my 30s. You are inspiring to me. I cannot thank you enough.

[hollywoodteee]

Loved this❤ I cried too lol and was so embarrassed but I know how you feel. It’s like damn, I knew SOMETHING was wrong.. I was so happy to know what it was to get help.

[katelynbrown]

Omg, yes. I am re-learning this again after 4 years ago. It's so real.

[MakedaPhillips]

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[CynthiaFosterArt]

Thank you so much for this video. You are not alone, sis. ❤

[crystalkyrise]

Thank you so much for this information!Can you make a video expressing your medication experience?

[MakedaPhillips]

Yes can you talk about the costs? Some people are quoting me $4200 for an evaluation