René’s Mental Health Story

René Brooks has taken a late-life diagnosis and used it to uplift others. After being diagnosed with ADHD three times, at age 25 she was finally able to get the treatment she deserved.  She soon founded Black Girl, Lost Keys, a blog that empowers black women with ADHD and shows them how to live well with the disorder. René has contributed to ADDitude Magazine, Kaleidoscope Society, PBS’s Roadtrip Nation, ADHD Rollercoaster, See in ADHD, Mindfully ADD, and ADHD Rewired.

ADDitude Magazine recently named her one of “5 Women with ADHD Who Are Changing The Conversation”. In addition to running Black Girl, Lost Keys, René is a Healthline  contributor and a Patient Contributor to TEVA Pharmaceutical’s Life Effects project.  René was the Keynote Speaker at Stronger Than My Struggles’, Crazy Like A Fox event  in Baltimore last year and also has spoken at The International Alliance Of Patients Organization’s 8th Annual Congress.

 

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Rene, Rene?

 

René: I am full of passion, humor, and a fire for helping others remove the blockades in their lives. I live an incredibly transparent life in the hopes of inspiring others to be the best they can be.

 

Fancy: So you were diagnosed with ADHD for years, but you say you didn’t receive the proper treatment. Did you feel as if the treatment itself was not effective, or did you feel like those administering the treatment did not fully understand you or the severity of your situation? 

René: Because of the stigma that exists around the diagnosis of ADHD, when my mother heard the diagnosis, she was reluctant to accept it. So unfortunately, I had to function through my disorder for many years. Untreated ADHD can lead to a host of issues including depression, anxiety, along with under employment, and lack of success in your career. Leaving my ADHD untreated was holding me back from being who I truly am.

Fancy: At what point did you decide to share your story to uplift and educate others?

René: Sharing my story was originally born of the loneliness I felt from never seeing any other black people speak about their ADHD. I resented having to learn all of these new skills as an adult when it all could have been learned during childhood, and I wanted to make sure no other child ever had to grow up with untreated ADHD again. I wanted to make sure I set other women who were struggling with untreated ADHD to learn how to live with their symptoms. I knew I had to use my life to spread awareness.

Fancy: You have made a career out of your diagnosis, which is actually pretty cool, but prior to being able to embrace it, did you aspire to do something else in life?

 

René: I have wanted to write from a very young age. When it was time to take my diagnosis public, I always knew I would do so through the written word. I’ve won awards for poetry and short stories, I’ve acted. Creative expression is the lifeblood that sustains me. So I’m in the fortunate position of being able to combine my story of growth through adversity along with the creativity I love.

Fancy: Many of us say we think have we have adult ADHD, but from your personal opinion, when do we need to seriously look at the situation and seek professional advice?

René: Prior to my diagnosis, I would frequently hear that I wasn’t working up to my potential, and that frustrated me. I would sit and take that criticism over and over again, each time knocking my self esteem lower and lower. If you have always had difficulty paying attention, felt disorganized, and felt like you are constantly playing catch up in your own life, it is time to talk to a professional. Be completely honest with them, and the pros can guide you to exactly what you need.

Fancy: What inspired you to take part in the Crazy Like a Fox Tour?

 

René: Erasing the stigma against mental health issues in the black community is critical. Our communities are dying and carrying trauma from generation to generation. Anytime I am given the opportunity to share what I did to beat the stigma, I am open to it.

Fancy: What inspirational nugget would you care to share with our readers?

 

René: People will try to make you feel like you can only be one thing at a time. Contrary to popular belief, you can live a successful life while managing a mental health condition at the same time.

Website: http://blackgorllostkeys.com

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