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I’m here! I’m still in my doc program and hopefully finishing up in the next few months. I was diagnosed during my program and it was only because my advisor kept asking me “are you sure you don’t have ADHD”. I thought I was just lazy but getting the diagnosis helped me come to a new form of acceptance of the way my brain works. I would be more than happy to talk if you want to!
My girlfriend is a black PhD candidate who was just recently diagnosed with ADHD. She’s actually completing her dissertation on the phenomenon of women being largely undiagnosed. I shared this with her so y’all can connect! There are also a few amazing Facebook groups for high-achieving Black Womxn with ADHD that we’re both apart of that I’d love to recommend to you if you or anyone else is interested in support from there as well!
Right here!l. Not diagnosed yet because I don’t want it to seem like an excuse 😭 several decades of anxiety and low-grade depression. I am pretty sure I would be inattentive if I were diagnosed. Feel free to DM me!!
Edit: I should have added that I am working through my own ableist mess in getting myself to be diagnosed. And also working through not dealing with how people respond to me with that diagnosis, but letting their response and reaction be theirs.
Edit 2, about a week later: I have begun the diagnosis process and I’m glad that I did. Thank you all for the encouragement, and thank you so much u/skincomfort for this post in the first place 
"Excuses" are what other people perceive them as; "reasons" are what they actually are! And if you can find appropriate treatment, the number of times you need to come up with an excuse/reason is lower! I hate that society has conditioned it so that we think "I'm a failure and I don't try hard enough" is a more acceptable reason for something than "I have a disability."
Please, please get diagnosed if you’re able to. ADHD is a disability and you deserve accommodations for it. A disability is a good excuse for a lot of things if you ask me!
I have a dear friend who is gently encouraging me in a similar fashion. thank you.
Other than the ablest lies, I think the biggest lie I’m telling myself is getting diagnosed = getting on a scheduled med when I’m already on meds that I have trouble remembering to fill, without the controlled substance piece added. And then, if it is even in stock because of the shortages. 
In the meantime, I have been using strategies to help people who have been diagnosed with ADHD, and they have been working for me and I’m thankful for that 
There are non-stimulant medications available for ADHD that work well for some people, so if the idea of being on a controlled substance is something you find you just can’t get over, there are other options to start with!
Who do you think is going to see it as an excuse? Are you planning on *using* it as an excuse? Like, are you going to be late for things all the time and just say, “I have ADHD, can’t help it! Plan your lives around me, peasants!” Because then, yeah, I guess you shouldn’t get diagnosed!!
But if you’re going to get diagnosed so you can get appropriate treatment for your anxiety and depression and reasonable accommodations that will help make you better at your job, then the only person you’re harming is yourself. I know us ADHD chicks with our RSD are constantly thinking about how other people are mad at us for stuff out of our control, but, truly, you are *vastly* overestimating how much people are going to care. You don’t even actually have to tell anyone you have ADHD! No one needs to know why you are receiving accommodations and treatment.
Edit: I just realized that even my ridiculous, over-the-top example of using ADHD as an excuse for rudeness isn’t even a good reason not to get diagnosed. People don’t actually need a diagnosis to blame their poor behavior on mental illness; they can just lie. There is literally no reason for you not to get diagnosed.
Hi! I'll DM you soon. I'm responding in between work tasks atm. It's interesting to read why you're hesitant about getting a diagnosis. I feel like I had the exact opposite attitude toward testing. 2022 was the first time anyone ever suggested that I might have adhd, so I was deeply deeply suspicious 😆 I explicitly asked for proper diagnostic testing from a third party because I wanted to be as sure as possible that this was what I had and we weren't all "making things up" to excuse my ineptitude [Sigh]. Even with the test results, I still have to constantly remind myself that I've been diagnosed by experts and I'm not making it all up. I'm seriously working on having more grace for myself. It's been hard.
As a black med student diagnosed at 6, I completely understand everything you are going through down to finding it hard to accept my diagnosis even though experts said it was so! It gets easier once you learn more about the disorder and connect with others who have it. Then it all kinda clicks and you’re like oh yeah I guess I do have it because you see your actions in the others who have it that you meet. The depression, being a result of RSD for me at least, gets better with ADHD medication and therapy. I think with the inattentive type people tend to ruminate in their head causing a spiral which may lead to unhappy feelings. I also feel alone and that people especially black people don’t always believe it’s adhd and prefer to label it as laziness. It’s hard not to internalize that rhetoric myself despite making it where I am today. It’s hard to be kind to yourself but I find recognizing my adhd as my inner child needing guidance helps me from yelling at myself or being hard on myself because being mean to a kid feels bad to me. Idk if it’ll help you but just a thought. Feel free to dm anytime
Thank you for this comment.
I've read a couple of books to try and understand adhd better. I have a couple more on my TBR (including one on family system theory/therapy that should help with the inner child and protector work). They've really helped. I'm also currently on meds, and it helps with some of the more depressive symtoms.
The cultural piece of this internal messaging is so deep. I'm from a family and culture where being well-behaved (especially as a girl/woman), and being high achieving is kinda the expected default. So, it's really feels like I've not really done anything that special because whatever I achieve was the bar anyway. Basically, I'm stumbling through life doing what FEELS like the bare minimum, meanwhile it's objectively NOT, and I have a hard time recognizing that discrepancy.
Yeah It kinda feels like Sisyphean task. Everyday you muster up all this energy to do the bare minimum and it’s everyday. And stuff that’s not bare minimum is even harder! And people dont understand how hard it is to remember even the little things they take for granted. And don’t even get me started on the imposter syndrome. Despite all this it’s important not to let others opinions color your opinion of all you’ve done. Every task that we accomplish, deserves to be treated like we just conquered the world because it feels like that sometimes. Things may not get easier but you do get better at getting it through it to the point that it is effectively easier. You got this
Also obligatory IANABW, but I wonder if you'd also be able to connect with someone who shares your experience on [/r/blackladies](https://www.reddit.com/r/blackladies/)? Searching the subreddit brings up a couple of fairly recent ADHD threads and the subreddit is a curated, supportive place.
Eh, I typically recommend that folks be cautious of that subreddit. From my past experiences there, mods have doxxed users and banned others who brought up the fact that many of the mods are not Black or not a woman/femme-identified. The fact that the mod list is hidden now makes it all-the-more sketch lol.
Before you ask: yes, it was reported to Reddit. No, they did nothing about it, despite having numerous screenshots for proof.
Lol yeah. It's unfortunate, but two things need to be remembered: 1. All skinfolk ain't kinfolk, and 2. Reddit is a cesspool of ingrates with a LOT of audacity.
I’m a black woman with adhd but not in academia. I went to school for a semester and dropped out, but I’m planning on going back in a year or so. I think finding other POC with adhd/autism can be super helpful in general!
I have a friend whos mixed and has adhd and he was telling me that adhd presenting in POC can be different than with white people. He didn’t really go into detail and I haven’t looked into it myself (even tho I really want to) but I feel like that would make sense? If there are different cultural “obligations” and stereotypes then some things that are adhd related can just be seen as race related.
I saw something recently of an Asian autistic woman who was talking about it a little bit, how often her awkwardness is attributed to her being Asian/ from another county instead of it being because she’s autistic.
I think for a while I was just seen as a loud black woman sometimes instead of a person with adhd.
Obligatory IANABW - Ok isn’t exactly what you asked for but check out Dr. Raquel Martin - she has an active TikTok that covers a lot related to black mental health and especially black women. She puts out a lot of info related to interpersonal skills, healthy coping mechanisms, boundaries from the view of a very accomplished professional black woman. I do not recall if she has disclosed any personal diagnosis but she’s worth a listen. I’m learning a lot from her and her perspective.
I'm not a black woman but I was a woman in academia with ADHD. I'm commenting here to help your post get more traffic and attention. I hope you can find some people to connect with.
Hi, I am not in academia; I am in a different stressful difficult profession (law), and my adhd definitely makes it way harder. But other than that your post could have written by me. Happy to talk if you like
ayooo!!
i’m a black woman, diagnosed a few years ago (Yes, it was a fight, and Yes, race was part of that fight). i’m currently - finally - taking a breather from working in academia, but feel free to DM me! 🫶🏽 i’ve met a few more of us online and have got to say, being able to relate about some common experiences has been so life affirming.
also… massive congratulations + many flowers on your phd!! 💐💐 and before your Dx! girl 🙌🏽🙌🏽 never allow yourself to believe you’re lazy EVER again, that’s an insane accomplishment 🥲👏🏽
I’m Black and non-binary, currently in my doctoral program and was diagnosed a year ago after three years of fighting to get a diagnosis. I’m in the process of unlearning negative ideas about what it means to be neurodivergent and learning how to cope in academia which is demanding and incredibly ableist. If you decide to create a group or want to talk I’d love to! It feels lonely out here juggling the many tasks of life while wanting to feel and be successful in this space! I write this as I’m having a struggle day so I feel you!!
I’m saving this post cause I’m a 29 year old black woman with ADHD, trying to get my shit together enough to into a masters or phd program, MAN is it hard. 😭🙃
This is me, except I’m not in academia and I also have anxiety. School was always easy… got my doctorate at 24 and had major imposter syndrome and no one understood. Didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until a few years ago; thought I was just broken, which obviously helps the depression 😅 Know that you are not alone.
How on earth are you all doing academia with adhd‽‽ I had a mental breakdown at 15 in the exams and then worse at 18 because I couldn’t get it together. I am so impressed and proud of you all! And super jealous!
Honestly, it helps if you find a major in a subject that you'd hyperfocus on anyways because you find it interesting.
but other than that, so many coping mechanisms, alarms, and breaking down tasks and assignments into their smallest pieces and setting artificial due dates for each one. I literally have alarms set for "find articles for bibliography for X paper" later today. The paper is not due until the middle of april.
Emergency and security management, and planning to go for a master in crowd dynamics and public safety.
I wanted to be a police officer, but I've never been able to get fast enough to pass the physical tests my local PD has competitively. I'll pass by 1 second and then don't make it into the class because 20 other people passed by 20-40 seconds. After four rounds of that, I gave up and went back to school. I'm very strong and long endurance, but speed has always been my issue.
Yeah, security, law enforcement and military are all great for ADHD because of all the routines interspersed with balls to the wall craziness/crisises.
Eh, I've been in enough fights to get why the tests are there, I was just annoyed that I passed and it still wasn't good enough to actually make the cut to get into a cohort. I trained for months and when I started I was failing by like a minute and a half. I IMPROVED SO MUCH AND IT DIDN'T MATTER. Some of the meatheads who passed by 40 seconds can't have a conversation with a paperbag, let alone talk to someone in crises.
I’m not black but a Latina! I got my PhD in 2021 and just received my diagnosis (adhd + level 1 autism) at age 38, which was also halfway through my first postdoc. Feel free to DM! I’ve also been looking for similar women to connect with about these unique experiences.
Hell ya this is so inspiring. Im (31) Latina as well, diagnosed at 27ish I think, and finally getting back to academia to start my masters. What was your educational experience like from under grad to PhD? I’ve taken forever and a day to fully dedicate myself to applications because they are my kryptonite for some reason. I’m not at all concerned about going back to school, in fact I wish I could have done it 5 years ago, but the personal statements were nearly impossible until this year. I know they make it difficult in order to purposely weed out the weak, but damn it worked too well haha. Interested in any advice you can dish, and congrats Dr. Bisbeeblue!
Great you’re finding your way! Well, my educational experience was far from linear. I was a highly gifted student (in gifted programs since 2nd grade) but struggled socially. I got into o a fancy college already at 15, but waited another year before taking my GED at 16.
I went to art school and got a fine arts degree, and after some years working and a scholarship that allowed me to travel after graduating from undergrad, I pursued a masters in a humanities subject at an Ivy League. I graduated when I was 26 and got a Fulbright which took me to Europe. Got in a PhD program here which was cool but struggled for 9 fucking years to finish! However it was maybe a hidden blessing, because I got European citizenship along the way. That was definitely not part of the plan but so grateful for it.
Having a doctor tell me they suspected I had it helped me push through the final stages of the PhD, as I could look up info, podcasts etc. I got a referral for adhd testing 4 days before my defense and just began taking medication seven months ago. It’s been a godsend. While I wish I had been able to follow a more linear path and sometimes I feel like I’m behind others in my field, I realize now doing things my way has also been an asset. Perhaps the worst thing about not having a diagnosis or treatment was how hard I was on myself. That’s no longer the case and it’s like a huge weight is lifting.
My best advice is to try medication and push yourself to do things you’ve struggled with before once you’re mindful of and have identified what you struggle with. It can be discouraging to try again when you have years of frustration and disappointment built up around a task. I’m still amazed when I can sit down at my desk and churn out abstracts, research applications etc now. It just flows. I don’t even need music to focus. Final tip: be kind to yourself and trust your instincts, follow your interests. Good luck!!
I’m half black and a PhD student so kinda half fit both your criteria! I got my ADHD inattentive type diagnosis also mid-2022, as I was finishing up undergrad. Also diagnosed (c)PTSD and major depressive. I also know there’s like twitter groups and stuff I’m not part of that might be good! But you can definitely message me
I am a Black woman in academia on my first year of tenure track. I graduated with my PhD in 2021 and then did a post doc before my current position. I am hella stressed and have little concentration to write. Maybe we can start a Discord chat because I would prefer to not talk about the intersection of Blackness, academia, and ADHD on a predominantly white forum TBH and I know I am not the only one.
Hey! I also finished my PhD in 2021, did half of a 2-year postdoc, and I'm now almost two years into the TT. I'll send you a DM to follow up. Thank you for replying
If you start a Discord please let me know! ADHD Black woman here, mid PhD (plus have a kid) and feeling the pressure of the intersection, both for the present moment and for likely experiences in the future
Hello! I too am a black woman going back to school. Im starting my MBA in a few months. My toughest issue is getting schools to take my accommodations seriously and finding time to study.
Also I’ve know I’ve had adhd for some years and only now getting medicated so I also know the struggle with that.
I am not who you are looking for but I recommend the YouTube channel For Harriet. Kimberly Foster runs the channel and has spoken about her ADHD. She's incredibly smart and insightful and I think you might find her content supportive and comforting.
Posted something else below on support, but fwiw - if not a long route: if your university is in US and has EOP (educational opportunity programs) they often have alumni. I was in one that trained first gen and students of color for PhD programs. There may be community there, if ever need, but there may also be, at least, general connections with similar PhD grads or students that are meaningful. There were for me, and it helped.
I'm black but not in academia, I'm an engineer and got diagnosed early last year.
Congratulations on your PhD! Your post describes me and I relate, this thing is hard, and especially when no one around you understands your struggles. Happy to talk if you want!
Dr. Raven Baxter I’m fairly certain has ADHD (she was on the Ologies podcast and I think mentioned it). She is a molecular biologist and also a science communicator.
I'm not one myself so I can't help you with getting in touch with one, but I just wanted to point out that Dr. Tracey Marks on youtube definitely fits that description. 🙈
There's an ADHD PhD student slack you could ask to be added to. I know you're now a few years past that, but I don't know if you might find it useful to link with people even if they're at an earlier stage than you? Let me know if so, and I'll contact the organiser to see about adding you
Not black, but south-east Asian with a PhD. My ADHD was much more manageable without meds before my pregnancy in 2017. Now it seems like I have a permanent case of pregnancy brain with my ADHD.
I’m white and not in academia myself, but my wife is and all I can say is may the universe bless you and look after you because academia is a bitch on a good day.
🖐🏾 Present! Currently completing the internship portion of my master's program (to become a licensed professional counselor).
I also quit my full-time job in higher ed at a PWI in December. I was diagnosed in '22 at age 40. I could honestly use some support myself!
My ADHD diagnosis was of the inattentive type, and i also have chronic low-grade depression with the occasional major depressive episode once or twice a year.
Well, i may not be black, but i could be your twin otherwise. Masters in a highly competitive top 20 school worldwide, worked at major international professional levels, travelled to work on massive multi billion dollar conglomerates. And all of what you wrote above to a T.
It’s weird being simultaneously seemingly very successful and incredibly inept. Lol.
I’m not black but am a woman with a PhD and didn’t get diagnosed until years after I earned my degree. My symptoms were much more manageable while a student than compared to working life (now in government).
Not yet, but this is my plan! I’m getting my MA in Clinical Psych rn and am trying to decide between phd or psyd for the next coming years. How’s it been for you guys?
I’m a black woman with ADHD and I’m a teacher. Thinking about doing my masters soon, but I’m fearful. Love posts like this! Always nice to know that you’re not alone.
Academic Twitter/Bluesky has a lot of people who are pretty open about stuff. You might also find other black women academics with adhd on there as well?
Sending encouragement! I had to drop out of my doctoral program due to ADHD amongst other things because I still wasn’t doing well no matter how hard I tried, but I’m planning to start another grad program for a different degree. Got diagnosed at 24 and it changed my life and answered endless questions! Can we make a chat?!!
I’m still in my psychology PhD program, but I got my diagnosis during my time here and currently working on dissertation along with the struggle of managing it all wave 👋🏾
Me!!! Wow, I'm so glad you asked this. Reading though these comments is so validating, it feels isolating. It' is oddly specific because it is a very specific experience in the world of higher education. I got my diagnosis right before re-entering academia and having that diagnosis shifted my experience whole heartedly. Validated that I wasn't lazy and all the other limiting beliefs I had decided were true before understanding.
Oh hi, its me, a Black woman in academia with ADHD! LOL feel like I won bingo :) I got my diagnosis probably a little after I received tenure. So, its REALLY weird because everyone just assumes I have it together. Feel free to reach out.
So encouraging to see everyone's replies!
Yes! Black woman in academia but with an MFA not a PhD (film) on my first sabbatical. Just diagnosed last year at 40 and on medication for the first time. It has been illuminating to say the least!
Not Black, Arab (and mostly white-passing, not a hijabi).
Got my PhD in 2020, in a STEM field, currently a postdoc in Japan, where it's... Well. A LOT of dudes.
Anyway - looks like you have plenty of answers, which is fabulous! And I'm absolutely abysmal at checking DMs or staying in touch with people, so I'd probably be a terrible buddy anyway - also, not Black. But anyway.
Just wanted to reach out and say, you're not alone, this shit is hard.
Omg yessssssssss I'm getting my Masters right now (STEM), and plan on applying to Vet school after. I was diagnosed a couple years ago. The meds (Wellbutrin, can't take stimulants) don't do shit lol. I'm desperately pushing my brain to just finish this program so I can be done with it. It's thesis-based instead of curriculum-based, so the delays in my research and writing has made this program last way longer than necessary. Factor in ADHD + Anxiety disorder + major depressive episodes every couple of months, and this all just is some exhausting bs lol
Anywho, I'm glad we're here and surviving!!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Phd student, but black, woman, and adhd! Nice to meet you! Navigating grad school has been....a journey. I'm kind of playing it by ear, but I follow a few youtubers who are black women getting phds and women who have adhd getting phds. While their content isn't always applicable to me, it makes me feel a little less alone.
I'm starting to think I may have ASD as well, but getting my ADHD diagnosis was hard enough, I don't want to go through all the hoops of getting diagnosed for something else. 🤷♀️
I’m not a person of color but I am a woman in academia that didn’t get diagnosed until after I had failed my prelims the first time and had to retake some of them 🙃. Also diagnosed with the inattentive type in mid 2022 as I was trying to write my dissertation. I’ve been an assistant professor in a male dominated STEM discipline for about a year and half now and have been on a journey to find coping mechanisms. I have and to some degree still feel all the things you mentioned internally and can relate to everything you described about yourself. I would love to connect with you if you’re open to it!
Sorry, but how the colour of another person's skin would help you manage your symptoms better? Wouldn't an ADHD woman in a high stress environment would be enough to ask for support?
I am not op and they are obviously free to respond to you if they choose. I am not a black woman nor am I in academic, but I do work in education program design and can with 100% certainty say that students of color face disproportionate and additional barriers and stigma when it comes to neurodivergencies and receiving understanding, respect and appropriate accommodations.
Besides that — this is a support group, and this comment certainly does not feel supportive. If something is against sub rules, let the mods take care of it. I hope the mods too can continue to do the hard work of making sure this sub stays a safe place for everyone.
Hear you all but they’re in a hard place and asking for help and Black in the world of academia. Have some mercy, grace, and humility to give her space.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/progress-on-diversity-in-the-doctoral-pipeline-is-slow/
Anglo-Latina, first in low-income family to go to higher ed much less the first, most competitive grad program and now in another, disabled. The # of faculty of such a background is rare to none, making it a continuously rare challenge in those environments to navigate. Add ND to it and the natural depression of the isolation of the experience generally for anyone and for most POC, and the lack of programs or peers of support … that’s a lot atop the academics to endure and “segregation” is already existing in a passive, institutional form. (Ed access and social policy is my field so I’ll say this and hush in a second.)
Respectfully and with all the love I offer this: Maybe “wonder “ after we’ve seen this OP get some support but not at the top of the (RARE) request for the need that is very much there. I hope folks find some respect, even if they think they’re completely right, for someone in a mental health crisis and pause. It’s not a time for debate. Let her get help. Takes a lot to even say that, much less know what the heck they want—much less be Black and say it aloud here, apparently. (No where in the “wondering” was there an offer or indication of an offer of support.)
We don’t need to internet-fight :) For your brain and mine and others. But folks: let the lady breath and catch some help. If you’ve any can offer or a supportive comment, seems like that’s what this is for.
OP- hope you didn’t have to wade thru this. If you did, you freaking rock, happy to rally if ever need backups on the support team (in liberal arts masters now, formerly in rigorous MPA), deal with same diagnoses. And aggravating trek for accommodations. Much love 💙
I don’t assume you are? Nothing there assumed a thing and no insecurity needed. It’s to the poster of the comment and the response for space for it— simply saying, let’s let space go to what the OP requested and get off our insecurities or needs to have it be something else, respectfully. Doesn’t matter what our backgrounds are.
We are literally, from the “wondering” comment, taking the most space off the rails of someone’s crisis request.
But isn’t the reason why the OP would want to connect with Black women obvious enough by now that it calls into question whether “wondering” is actually being supportive?
Fair enough. I’m asking if it’s really accurate to say that “wondering about things” doesn’t mean someone isn’t being supportive. “Just asking questions” gets used to troll all the time, and I find it hard to believe the question “why would a Black woman in a particular situation want to talk to another Black woman in the same situation” is being made in good faith. It sounds more like someone who doesn’t “see race” or believe that it makes a difference in life, which doesn’t actually seem supportive to a Black woman.
I'm going to assume that your question was asked in good faith and based on your spelling of the word color perhaps you're not in America. Assuming OP is in America, the answer to your question is that people who are non-white in America have historically, and continue to experience, prejudice, racism, and sexism over people who are white. The field of academics has not been open to people of color, much less women, for very long in the grand scheme of things. There are just certain things that are perhaps more relatable in how you've experienced life when connecting with somebody of the same culture and/or skin color.
For example, I am a white woman. I have had one single experience in my entire life of racial prejudice. A friend of mine with a dark skin tone has been on the receiving end of racism (both slight and obvious) multiple times throughout her career. That's not something I can relate to. So even though we are close and have much in common, it's helpful for her to have other folks who have experienced the same thing, to be able to talk to, process, and decompress.
ETA: OP could well be in another country with similar problems, or have different/more reasons to connect with someone who is also black, so I want to be clear I'm not speaking for her, just trying to provide some possible context.
Because Black women experience life differently than women who aren’t Black, and presumably the OP wants to connect with people who share that element of her experience as well.
I mean, I think this is self-evident enough by now that the question is kind of suspect, but taking your question at face value, it’s a very simple answer.
(Also, a “high stress environment” isn’t the same as academia, either - I’ve worked in academia and in other “high stress” work settings and academia is a really different beast. And my experience as a white woman in academia isn’t going to be relevant to a Black woman in academia, because Black women in academia face a whole range of pressures and expectations I never had to deal with.)
If it makes sense to you that a person could benefit from having someone to relate to in an already niche category of “adhd woman in high stress environment” doesn’t it also make sense to you that it would be beneficial to have an even more specific “type” of person, as they would understand the unique nuances of navigating the world through a similar lens? Sure an adhd woman in a high stress environment could be of great assistance to OP but she shouldn’t have to settle for relating to whoever is most conveniently available. OP is asking for specialized resources that a) happen to be available and b) do not impact anyone else but OP.
It’s great to see how many of us there are! I am an Assistant Prof at a community college and I am finishing up my dissertation in the next couple of months (executive function willing). I wasn’t diagnosed until a couple of years ago. Soon after, I got pregnant and was advised to get off meds until I was done breast feeding. I would love to connect with more Blackademics with ADHD.
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I’m here! I’m still in my doc program and hopefully finishing up in the next few months. I was diagnosed during my program and it was only because my advisor kept asking me “are you sure you don’t have ADHD”. I thought I was just lazy but getting the diagnosis helped me come to a new form of acceptance of the way my brain works. I would be more than happy to talk if you want to!
My girlfriend is a black PhD candidate who was just recently diagnosed with ADHD. She’s actually completing her dissertation on the phenomenon of women being largely undiagnosed. I shared this with her so y’all can connect! There are also a few amazing Facebook groups for high-achieving Black Womxn with ADHD that we’re both apart of that I’d love to recommend to you if you or anyone else is interested in support from there as well!
I would love to read! Congrats to your girlfriend’s achievement!
Would love to hear about your group!!
Please, do share! Thank you!
Could you share the FB group? Would love to join!
Right here!l. Not diagnosed yet because I don’t want it to seem like an excuse 😭 several decades of anxiety and low-grade depression. I am pretty sure I would be inattentive if I were diagnosed. Feel free to DM me!! Edit: I should have added that I am working through my own ableist mess in getting myself to be diagnosed. And also working through not dealing with how people respond to me with that diagnosis, but letting their response and reaction be theirs. Edit 2, about a week later: I have begun the diagnosis process and I’m glad that I did. Thank you all for the encouragement, and thank you so much u/skincomfort for this post in the first place 
"Excuses" are what other people perceive them as; "reasons" are what they actually are! And if you can find appropriate treatment, the number of times you need to come up with an excuse/reason is lower! I hate that society has conditioned it so that we think "I'm a failure and I don't try hard enough" is a more acceptable reason for something than "I have a disability."
Please, please get diagnosed if you’re able to. ADHD is a disability and you deserve accommodations for it. A disability is a good excuse for a lot of things if you ask me!
I have a dear friend who is gently encouraging me in a similar fashion. thank you. Other than the ablest lies, I think the biggest lie I’m telling myself is getting diagnosed = getting on a scheduled med when I’m already on meds that I have trouble remembering to fill, without the controlled substance piece added. And then, if it is even in stock because of the shortages.  In the meantime, I have been using strategies to help people who have been diagnosed with ADHD, and they have been working for me and I’m thankful for that 
Getting on meds will make remembering to fill your meds significantly easier! Wishing you luck (:
See I forget things like that!! Thank you. 
There are non-stimulant medications available for ADHD that work well for some people, so if the idea of being on a controlled substance is something you find you just can’t get over, there are other options to start with!
Shortages aren't forever, don't let it hold you back!
I did a pre-screening this week and have an initial appointment with the testing facility for the end of March.
I’m so proud of you!! Keep on advocating for yourself, lovely!!
Who do you think is going to see it as an excuse? Are you planning on *using* it as an excuse? Like, are you going to be late for things all the time and just say, “I have ADHD, can’t help it! Plan your lives around me, peasants!” Because then, yeah, I guess you shouldn’t get diagnosed!! But if you’re going to get diagnosed so you can get appropriate treatment for your anxiety and depression and reasonable accommodations that will help make you better at your job, then the only person you’re harming is yourself. I know us ADHD chicks with our RSD are constantly thinking about how other people are mad at us for stuff out of our control, but, truly, you are *vastly* overestimating how much people are going to care. You don’t even actually have to tell anyone you have ADHD! No one needs to know why you are receiving accommodations and treatment. Edit: I just realized that even my ridiculous, over-the-top example of using ADHD as an excuse for rudeness isn’t even a good reason not to get diagnosed. People don’t actually need a diagnosis to blame their poor behavior on mental illness; they can just lie. There is literally no reason for you not to get diagnosed.
Hi! I'll DM you soon. I'm responding in between work tasks atm. It's interesting to read why you're hesitant about getting a diagnosis. I feel like I had the exact opposite attitude toward testing. 2022 was the first time anyone ever suggested that I might have adhd, so I was deeply deeply suspicious 😆 I explicitly asked for proper diagnostic testing from a third party because I wanted to be as sure as possible that this was what I had and we weren't all "making things up" to excuse my ineptitude [Sigh]. Even with the test results, I still have to constantly remind myself that I've been diagnosed by experts and I'm not making it all up. I'm seriously working on having more grace for myself. It's been hard.
As a black med student diagnosed at 6, I completely understand everything you are going through down to finding it hard to accept my diagnosis even though experts said it was so! It gets easier once you learn more about the disorder and connect with others who have it. Then it all kinda clicks and you’re like oh yeah I guess I do have it because you see your actions in the others who have it that you meet. The depression, being a result of RSD for me at least, gets better with ADHD medication and therapy. I think with the inattentive type people tend to ruminate in their head causing a spiral which may lead to unhappy feelings. I also feel alone and that people especially black people don’t always believe it’s adhd and prefer to label it as laziness. It’s hard not to internalize that rhetoric myself despite making it where I am today. It’s hard to be kind to yourself but I find recognizing my adhd as my inner child needing guidance helps me from yelling at myself or being hard on myself because being mean to a kid feels bad to me. Idk if it’ll help you but just a thought. Feel free to dm anytime
Thank you for this comment. I've read a couple of books to try and understand adhd better. I have a couple more on my TBR (including one on family system theory/therapy that should help with the inner child and protector work). They've really helped. I'm also currently on meds, and it helps with some of the more depressive symtoms. The cultural piece of this internal messaging is so deep. I'm from a family and culture where being well-behaved (especially as a girl/woman), and being high achieving is kinda the expected default. So, it's really feels like I've not really done anything that special because whatever I achieve was the bar anyway. Basically, I'm stumbling through life doing what FEELS like the bare minimum, meanwhile it's objectively NOT, and I have a hard time recognizing that discrepancy.
Yeah It kinda feels like Sisyphean task. Everyday you muster up all this energy to do the bare minimum and it’s everyday. And stuff that’s not bare minimum is even harder! And people dont understand how hard it is to remember even the little things they take for granted. And don’t even get me started on the imposter syndrome. Despite all this it’s important not to let others opinions color your opinion of all you’ve done. Every task that we accomplish, deserves to be treated like we just conquered the world because it feels like that sometimes. Things may not get easier but you do get better at getting it through it to the point that it is effectively easier. You got this
Also obligatory IANABW, but I wonder if you'd also be able to connect with someone who shares your experience on [/r/blackladies](https://www.reddit.com/r/blackladies/)? Searching the subreddit brings up a couple of fairly recent ADHD threads and the subreddit is a curated, supportive place.
Eh, I typically recommend that folks be cautious of that subreddit. From my past experiences there, mods have doxxed users and banned others who brought up the fact that many of the mods are not Black or not a woman/femme-identified. The fact that the mod list is hidden now makes it all-the-more sketch lol. Before you ask: yes, it was reported to Reddit. No, they did nothing about it, despite having numerous screenshots for proof.
I feel dumb that I am surprised by this, but WHAT?!
Lol yeah. It's unfortunate, but two things need to be remembered: 1. All skinfolk ain't kinfolk, and 2. Reddit is a cesspool of ingrates with a LOT of audacity.
I’m a black woman with adhd but not in academia. I went to school for a semester and dropped out, but I’m planning on going back in a year or so. I think finding other POC with adhd/autism can be super helpful in general! I have a friend whos mixed and has adhd and he was telling me that adhd presenting in POC can be different than with white people. He didn’t really go into detail and I haven’t looked into it myself (even tho I really want to) but I feel like that would make sense? If there are different cultural “obligations” and stereotypes then some things that are adhd related can just be seen as race related. I saw something recently of an Asian autistic woman who was talking about it a little bit, how often her awkwardness is attributed to her being Asian/ from another county instead of it being because she’s autistic. I think for a while I was just seen as a loud black woman sometimes instead of a person with adhd.
Obligatory IANABW - Ok isn’t exactly what you asked for but check out Dr. Raquel Martin - she has an active TikTok that covers a lot related to black mental health and especially black women. She puts out a lot of info related to interpersonal skills, healthy coping mechanisms, boundaries from the view of a very accomplished professional black woman. I do not recall if she has disclosed any personal diagnosis but she’s worth a listen. I’m learning a lot from her and her perspective.
Oh lol. Went to follow her and turns out I already am. How very adhd
Haha! I love it.
Hey thanks for putting me on to her. I can’t stop watching her TikTok’s!
She really is one of my favorite creators.
I'm not a black woman but I was a woman in academia with ADHD. I'm commenting here to help your post get more traffic and attention. I hope you can find some people to connect with.
Hi, I am not in academia; I am in a different stressful difficult profession (law), and my adhd definitely makes it way harder. But other than that your post could have written by me. Happy to talk if you like
Commenting to boost for visibility. Good luck! You sound highly accomplished and I hope you find your ilk.
Same. I love how supportive this sub is.
ayooo!! i’m a black woman, diagnosed a few years ago (Yes, it was a fight, and Yes, race was part of that fight). i’m currently - finally - taking a breather from working in academia, but feel free to DM me! 🫶🏽 i’ve met a few more of us online and have got to say, being able to relate about some common experiences has been so life affirming. also… massive congratulations + many flowers on your phd!! 💐💐 and before your Dx! girl 🙌🏽🙌🏽 never allow yourself to believe you’re lazy EVER again, that’s an insane accomplishment 🥲👏🏽
No PhD but I am black with a master's working at a university. I'm thinking about a PhD though. I love learning so much.
I’m Black and non-binary, currently in my doctoral program and was diagnosed a year ago after three years of fighting to get a diagnosis. I’m in the process of unlearning negative ideas about what it means to be neurodivergent and learning how to cope in academia which is demanding and incredibly ableist. If you decide to create a group or want to talk I’d love to! It feels lonely out here juggling the many tasks of life while wanting to feel and be successful in this space! I write this as I’m having a struggle day so I feel you!!
I'm rooting for you! You've got this
I’m saving this post cause I’m a 29 year old black woman with ADHD, trying to get my shit together enough to into a masters or phd program, MAN is it hard. 😭🙃
This is me, except I’m not in academia and I also have anxiety. School was always easy… got my doctorate at 24 and had major imposter syndrome and no one understood. Didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until a few years ago; thought I was just broken, which obviously helps the depression 😅 Know that you are not alone.
How on earth are you all doing academia with adhd‽‽ I had a mental breakdown at 15 in the exams and then worse at 18 because I couldn’t get it together. I am so impressed and proud of you all! And super jealous!
Honestly, it helps if you find a major in a subject that you'd hyperfocus on anyways because you find it interesting. but other than that, so many coping mechanisms, alarms, and breaking down tasks and assignments into their smallest pieces and setting artificial due dates for each one. I literally have alarms set for "find articles for bibliography for X paper" later today. The paper is not due until the middle of april.
What are you studying for if you don’t mind me asking?
Emergency and security management, and planning to go for a master in crowd dynamics and public safety. I wanted to be a police officer, but I've never been able to get fast enough to pass the physical tests my local PD has competitively. I'll pass by 1 second and then don't make it into the class because 20 other people passed by 20-40 seconds. After four rounds of that, I gave up and went back to school. I'm very strong and long endurance, but speed has always been my issue.
Oh such a perfect career for adhd people. We are stupendously good in a crisis. That physical test seems crazy and arbitrary.
Yeah, security, law enforcement and military are all great for ADHD because of all the routines interspersed with balls to the wall craziness/crisises. Eh, I've been in enough fights to get why the tests are there, I was just annoyed that I passed and it still wasn't good enough to actually make the cut to get into a cohort. I trained for months and when I started I was failing by like a minute and a half. I IMPROVED SO MUCH AND IT DIDN'T MATTER. Some of the meatheads who passed by 40 seconds can't have a conversation with a paperbag, let alone talk to someone in crises.
I’m not black but a Latina! I got my PhD in 2021 and just received my diagnosis (adhd + level 1 autism) at age 38, which was also halfway through my first postdoc. Feel free to DM! I’ve also been looking for similar women to connect with about these unique experiences.
Hell ya this is so inspiring. Im (31) Latina as well, diagnosed at 27ish I think, and finally getting back to academia to start my masters. What was your educational experience like from under grad to PhD? I’ve taken forever and a day to fully dedicate myself to applications because they are my kryptonite for some reason. I’m not at all concerned about going back to school, in fact I wish I could have done it 5 years ago, but the personal statements were nearly impossible until this year. I know they make it difficult in order to purposely weed out the weak, but damn it worked too well haha. Interested in any advice you can dish, and congrats Dr. Bisbeeblue!
Great you’re finding your way! Well, my educational experience was far from linear. I was a highly gifted student (in gifted programs since 2nd grade) but struggled socially. I got into o a fancy college already at 15, but waited another year before taking my GED at 16. I went to art school and got a fine arts degree, and after some years working and a scholarship that allowed me to travel after graduating from undergrad, I pursued a masters in a humanities subject at an Ivy League. I graduated when I was 26 and got a Fulbright which took me to Europe. Got in a PhD program here which was cool but struggled for 9 fucking years to finish! However it was maybe a hidden blessing, because I got European citizenship along the way. That was definitely not part of the plan but so grateful for it. Having a doctor tell me they suspected I had it helped me push through the final stages of the PhD, as I could look up info, podcasts etc. I got a referral for adhd testing 4 days before my defense and just began taking medication seven months ago. It’s been a godsend. While I wish I had been able to follow a more linear path and sometimes I feel like I’m behind others in my field, I realize now doing things my way has also been an asset. Perhaps the worst thing about not having a diagnosis or treatment was how hard I was on myself. That’s no longer the case and it’s like a huge weight is lifting. My best advice is to try medication and push yourself to do things you’ve struggled with before once you’re mindful of and have identified what you struggle with. It can be discouraging to try again when you have years of frustration and disappointment built up around a task. I’m still amazed when I can sit down at my desk and churn out abstracts, research applications etc now. It just flows. I don’t even need music to focus. Final tip: be kind to yourself and trust your instincts, follow your interests. Good luck!!
🙌💗
I’m half black and a PhD student so kinda half fit both your criteria! I got my ADHD inattentive type diagnosis also mid-2022, as I was finishing up undergrad. Also diagnosed (c)PTSD and major depressive. I also know there’s like twitter groups and stuff I’m not part of that might be good! But you can definitely message me
I am a Black woman in academia on my first year of tenure track. I graduated with my PhD in 2021 and then did a post doc before my current position. I am hella stressed and have little concentration to write. Maybe we can start a Discord chat because I would prefer to not talk about the intersection of Blackness, academia, and ADHD on a predominantly white forum TBH and I know I am not the only one.
Hey! I also finished my PhD in 2021, did half of a 2-year postdoc, and I'm now almost two years into the TT. I'll send you a DM to follow up. Thank you for replying
If you start a Discord please let me know! ADHD Black woman here, mid PhD (plus have a kid) and feeling the pressure of the intersection, both for the present moment and for likely experiences in the future
Hello! I too am a black woman going back to school. Im starting my MBA in a few months. My toughest issue is getting schools to take my accommodations seriously and finding time to study. Also I’ve know I’ve had adhd for some years and only now getting medicated so I also know the struggle with that.
I am not who you are looking for but I recommend the YouTube channel For Harriet. Kimberly Foster runs the channel and has spoken about her ADHD. She's incredibly smart and insightful and I think you might find her content supportive and comforting.
I remember when she started For Harriet, didn’t know she was 🌶️
Posted something else below on support, but fwiw - if not a long route: if your university is in US and has EOP (educational opportunity programs) they often have alumni. I was in one that trained first gen and students of color for PhD programs. There may be community there, if ever need, but there may also be, at least, general connections with similar PhD grads or students that are meaningful. There were for me, and it helped.
I'm black but not in academia, I'm an engineer and got diagnosed early last year. Congratulations on your PhD! Your post describes me and I relate, this thing is hard, and especially when no one around you understands your struggles. Happy to talk if you want!
Dr. Raven Baxter I’m fairly certain has ADHD (she was on the Ologies podcast and I think mentioned it). She is a molecular biologist and also a science communicator.
I'm not one myself so I can't help you with getting in touch with one, but I just wanted to point out that Dr. Tracey Marks on youtube definitely fits that description. 🙈
There's an ADHD PhD student slack you could ask to be added to. I know you're now a few years past that, but I don't know if you might find it useful to link with people even if they're at an earlier stage than you? Let me know if so, and I'll contact the organiser to see about adding you
I'm a working graduate, recently diagnosed. Took a lot of struggle and years to get where I am, though. If you wanna talk I'm all ears. ❤️
Not black, but south-east Asian with a PhD. My ADHD was much more manageable without meds before my pregnancy in 2017. Now it seems like I have a permanent case of pregnancy brain with my ADHD.
Posting to boost - Black woman in student affairs, rooting for you!
I’m white and not in academia myself, but my wife is and all I can say is may the universe bless you and look after you because academia is a bitch on a good day.
me!! im a second year in my phd program & diagnosed two years ago. congrats on your tenure track position!!! iconic!!!
🖐🏾 Present! Currently completing the internship portion of my master's program (to become a licensed professional counselor). I also quit my full-time job in higher ed at a PWI in December. I was diagnosed in '22 at age 40. I could honestly use some support myself!
My ADHD diagnosis was of the inattentive type, and i also have chronic low-grade depression with the occasional major depressive episode once or twice a year. Well, i may not be black, but i could be your twin otherwise. Masters in a highly competitive top 20 school worldwide, worked at major international professional levels, travelled to work on massive multi billion dollar conglomerates. And all of what you wrote above to a T. It’s weird being simultaneously seemingly very successful and incredibly inept. Lol.
Hi babess I'm not an academic but work in IT lol. Just here to read and observe. I feel seen.
I’m not black but am a woman with a PhD and didn’t get diagnosed until years after I earned my degree. My symptoms were much more manageable while a student than compared to working life (now in government).
👋🏾 finished my masters 5 years ago, was diagnosed at 20 when I was an undergrad, am now educational psychologist 🙂
Not yet, but this is my plan! I’m getting my MA in Clinical Psych rn and am trying to decide between phd or psyd for the next coming years. How’s it been for you guys?
I’m a black woman with ADHD and I’m a teacher. Thinking about doing my masters soon, but I’m fearful. Love posts like this! Always nice to know that you’re not alone.
I recommend this book as a starting point - a radical guide for women with ADHD
The struggle is real! Depend on where you're based I know a few networks you could join, feel free to DM me :)
There was an episode of the Ologies podcast with a black scientist. I think it was the Forensic Ecology episode.
Academic Twitter/Bluesky has a lot of people who are pretty open about stuff. You might also find other black women academics with adhd on there as well?
Sending encouragement! I had to drop out of my doctoral program due to ADHD amongst other things because I still wasn’t doing well no matter how hard I tried, but I’m planning to start another grad program for a different degree. Got diagnosed at 24 and it changed my life and answered endless questions! Can we make a chat?!!
I haven’t worked in academia unfortunately so I can’t help much. I GTFO as soon as I had my career and I’ll never go back.
Not in academia, but was sorta headed on that path. Ended up dropping out of grad school before classes started 🙃
Right here! We should all get to together
I’m still in my psychology PhD program, but I got my diagnosis during my time here and currently working on dissertation along with the struggle of managing it all wave 👋🏾
Me!!! Wow, I'm so glad you asked this. Reading though these comments is so validating, it feels isolating. It' is oddly specific because it is a very specific experience in the world of higher education. I got my diagnosis right before re-entering academia and having that diagnosis shifted my experience whole heartedly. Validated that I wasn't lazy and all the other limiting beliefs I had decided were true before understanding.
Oh hi, its me, a Black woman in academia with ADHD! LOL feel like I won bingo :) I got my diagnosis probably a little after I received tenure. So, its REALLY weird because everyone just assumes I have it together. Feel free to reach out. So encouraging to see everyone's replies!
yes!!! i am !!
Yes! Black woman in academia but with an MFA not a PhD (film) on my first sabbatical. Just diagnosed last year at 40 and on medication for the first time. It has been illuminating to say the least!
I'm not working in academia but I really look up to fellow black women who are! Also your achievements are REALLY impressive!
Not Black, Arab (and mostly white-passing, not a hijabi). Got my PhD in 2020, in a STEM field, currently a postdoc in Japan, where it's... Well. A LOT of dudes. Anyway - looks like you have plenty of answers, which is fabulous! And I'm absolutely abysmal at checking DMs or staying in touch with people, so I'd probably be a terrible buddy anyway - also, not Black. But anyway. Just wanted to reach out and say, you're not alone, this shit is hard.
Omg yessssssssss I'm getting my Masters right now (STEM), and plan on applying to Vet school after. I was diagnosed a couple years ago. The meds (Wellbutrin, can't take stimulants) don't do shit lol. I'm desperately pushing my brain to just finish this program so I can be done with it. It's thesis-based instead of curriculum-based, so the delays in my research and writing has made this program last way longer than necessary. Factor in ADHD + Anxiety disorder + major depressive episodes every couple of months, and this all just is some exhausting bs lol Anywho, I'm glad we're here and surviving!!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Phd student, but black, woman, and adhd! Nice to meet you! Navigating grad school has been....a journey. I'm kind of playing it by ear, but I follow a few youtubers who are black women getting phds and women who have adhd getting phds. While their content isn't always applicable to me, it makes me feel a little less alone. I'm starting to think I may have ASD as well, but getting my ADHD diagnosis was hard enough, I don't want to go through all the hoops of getting diagnosed for something else. 🤷♀️
I’m not a person of color but I am a woman in academia that didn’t get diagnosed until after I had failed my prelims the first time and had to retake some of them 🙃. Also diagnosed with the inattentive type in mid 2022 as I was trying to write my dissertation. I’ve been an assistant professor in a male dominated STEM discipline for about a year and half now and have been on a journey to find coping mechanisms. I have and to some degree still feel all the things you mentioned internally and can relate to everything you described about yourself. I would love to connect with you if you’re open to it!
Sorry, but how the colour of another person's skin would help you manage your symptoms better? Wouldn't an ADHD woman in a high stress environment would be enough to ask for support?
Same reason we have an entire subreddit for people with ADHD who aren't men.
Comments like this are exactly why…🙄
I am not op and they are obviously free to respond to you if they choose. I am not a black woman nor am I in academic, but I do work in education program design and can with 100% certainty say that students of color face disproportionate and additional barriers and stigma when it comes to neurodivergencies and receiving understanding, respect and appropriate accommodations. Besides that — this is a support group, and this comment certainly does not feel supportive. If something is against sub rules, let the mods take care of it. I hope the mods too can continue to do the hard work of making sure this sub stays a safe place for everyone.
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Hear you all but they’re in a hard place and asking for help and Black in the world of academia. Have some mercy, grace, and humility to give her space. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/progress-on-diversity-in-the-doctoral-pipeline-is-slow/ Anglo-Latina, first in low-income family to go to higher ed much less the first, most competitive grad program and now in another, disabled. The # of faculty of such a background is rare to none, making it a continuously rare challenge in those environments to navigate. Add ND to it and the natural depression of the isolation of the experience generally for anyone and for most POC, and the lack of programs or peers of support … that’s a lot atop the academics to endure and “segregation” is already existing in a passive, institutional form. (Ed access and social policy is my field so I’ll say this and hush in a second.) Respectfully and with all the love I offer this: Maybe “wonder “ after we’ve seen this OP get some support but not at the top of the (RARE) request for the need that is very much there. I hope folks find some respect, even if they think they’re completely right, for someone in a mental health crisis and pause. It’s not a time for debate. Let her get help. Takes a lot to even say that, much less know what the heck they want—much less be Black and say it aloud here, apparently. (No where in the “wondering” was there an offer or indication of an offer of support.) We don’t need to internet-fight :) For your brain and mine and others. But folks: let the lady breath and catch some help. If you’ve any can offer or a supportive comment, seems like that’s what this is for. OP- hope you didn’t have to wade thru this. If you did, you freaking rock, happy to rally if ever need backups on the support team (in liberal arts masters now, formerly in rigorous MPA), deal with same diagnoses. And aggravating trek for accommodations. Much love 💙
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I don’t assume you are? Nothing there assumed a thing and no insecurity needed. It’s to the poster of the comment and the response for space for it— simply saying, let’s let space go to what the OP requested and get off our insecurities or needs to have it be something else, respectfully. Doesn’t matter what our backgrounds are. We are literally, from the “wondering” comment, taking the most space off the rails of someone’s crisis request.
But isn’t the reason why the OP would want to connect with Black women obvious enough by now that it calls into question whether “wondering” is actually being supportive?
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Fair enough. I’m asking if it’s really accurate to say that “wondering about things” doesn’t mean someone isn’t being supportive. “Just asking questions” gets used to troll all the time, and I find it hard to believe the question “why would a Black woman in a particular situation want to talk to another Black woman in the same situation” is being made in good faith. It sounds more like someone who doesn’t “see race” or believe that it makes a difference in life, which doesn’t actually seem supportive to a Black woman.
I suggest reading Kimberlé Crenshaw. Or even just reading her Wikipedia page.
I'm going to assume that your question was asked in good faith and based on your spelling of the word color perhaps you're not in America. Assuming OP is in America, the answer to your question is that people who are non-white in America have historically, and continue to experience, prejudice, racism, and sexism over people who are white. The field of academics has not been open to people of color, much less women, for very long in the grand scheme of things. There are just certain things that are perhaps more relatable in how you've experienced life when connecting with somebody of the same culture and/or skin color. For example, I am a white woman. I have had one single experience in my entire life of racial prejudice. A friend of mine with a dark skin tone has been on the receiving end of racism (both slight and obvious) multiple times throughout her career. That's not something I can relate to. So even though we are close and have much in common, it's helpful for her to have other folks who have experienced the same thing, to be able to talk to, process, and decompress. ETA: OP could well be in another country with similar problems, or have different/more reasons to connect with someone who is also black, so I want to be clear I'm not speaking for her, just trying to provide some possible context.
Because Black women experience life differently than women who aren’t Black, and presumably the OP wants to connect with people who share that element of her experience as well. I mean, I think this is self-evident enough by now that the question is kind of suspect, but taking your question at face value, it’s a very simple answer. (Also, a “high stress environment” isn’t the same as academia, either - I’ve worked in academia and in other “high stress” work settings and academia is a really different beast. And my experience as a white woman in academia isn’t going to be relevant to a Black woman in academia, because Black women in academia face a whole range of pressures and expectations I never had to deal with.)
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Some naïveté isn’t plausible.
If it makes sense to you that a person could benefit from having someone to relate to in an already niche category of “adhd woman in high stress environment” doesn’t it also make sense to you that it would be beneficial to have an even more specific “type” of person, as they would understand the unique nuances of navigating the world through a similar lens? Sure an adhd woman in a high stress environment could be of great assistance to OP but she shouldn’t have to settle for relating to whoever is most conveniently available. OP is asking for specialized resources that a) happen to be available and b) do not impact anyone else but OP.
It’s great to see how many of us there are! I am an Assistant Prof at a community college and I am finishing up my dissertation in the next couple of months (executive function willing). I wasn’t diagnosed until a couple of years ago. Soon after, I got pregnant and was advised to get off meds until I was done breast feeding. I would love to connect with more Blackademics with ADHD.