Having undiagnosed ADHD as a Black Woman has been immensely difficult. The social pressures to be organised, tidy, nurturing and well put together made my unnamed symptoms feel like character flaws. It meant being missed or mislabelled, rather than struggling with emotional regulation I was seen as aggressive and violent. Instead of struggling with concentration, I was seen as uninterested and lacking commitment. It meant not being believed when I said I was struggling until I used their language to describe my difficulties.
Now I am diagnosed I feel vindicated, however, the journey was not linear and felt very lonely until I met other Black Women who related to my experiences through ADHD Babes.
I started ADHD Babes due to a lack of spaces specifically for Black Women with ADHD. After being diagnosed, my partner and I attempted to connect to numerous spaces and always felt we did not quite fit in. They suggested creating a space where I would feel at home and ADHD Babes grew. Starting as a Facebook group, into a Whatsapp group and now into a registered CIC we are a community of Black Women and Non-binary people holding space for one another and re-learning what it means to be Black with ADHD.
What advice would you give to another Neurodivergent woman navigating their way through life?
Knowing and accepting you with all your strength and needs is a wonderful starting point to heal from all the negative narratives. Find what makes you tick, what you need to feel grounded and create a care routine that includes your needs. Don't be ashamed to ask for support, you deserve it.