Have you ever asked yourself, ‘what’s wrong with me?’ Eric and Stacey Machelle, your host, discuss the difficulties she faced in both her professional and personal lives. Stacey discusses her diagnosis of ADD years ago and how Ted Bundy and her prayers led her to help.
Stacey is a journalist by profession and a stand-up comedian. As a warm-up comedian on A Little Late With Lilly Singh (late-night talk show on NBC), and a few other side hustles, she works. Stacey wanted the opportunity to speak on behalf of black women who have not been diagnosed and are still untreated.
Stacey tells her story about how she was diagnosed over twenty years ago with ADD and prescribed Ritalin. She didn’t notice any difference and decided that she didn’t need it. She listened to what others had to say about Ted Bundy years later while watching a Ted Bundy documentary and decided that she didn’t have it.
Stacey talks about what happened to her ADHD when she revealed it to her family. It has helped her heal her relationship with her mother. Her diagnosis has led her brother and mother to consider the possibility of ADHD and are supportive and eager to learn more about ADHD.
Stacy shares her desire to spread the message about ADHD to African Americans. They will often suffer in silence and put their heads down, not telling anyone. Stacy’s message is that you don’t have to remain silent anymore. Talk about your mental health and get help. Her comedy platform is helping her raise awareness about ADHD.
You’ll learn:
[03:02] Stacey. Glad you’re here! [03:12] Stacey talks about her life and how she discovered that she was facing challenges that others weren’t. [05:59] Stacey talks about a therapist asking if she suspected she might have ADD. [08:55] Stacey relates how she was almost fired from her job at one of the news stations while she was working. [10:48] How did you cope with so many obstacles in your career? [12:58] Stacey discusses how her therapist didn’t know anything about ADHD. [16:43] Stacey tells a story about how she prayed and how her prayers were answered. [19:27] Stacey talks about Ted Bundy. She also discusses how she Googled her symptoms to see if she was a psychopath. [26:30] How did your family respond to your ADHD? [27:51] Stacey reveals what happened to her when she revealed her condition to a long-time friend. [30:47] Eric shares a favorite quote from Brene Brown. [32:33] Stacey reveals that her grandparents raised them. [33:49] Stacey explains what happened to her when she told her mother. [37:23] Have your family members been supportive of your diagnosis and your treatment? [41:30] Stacey talks about giving information to African American women, and showing them ADHD. [43:42] Stacey believes that no one in the African American community is willing to discuss mental health issues. [46:02] Stacey reveals that while her grandparents didn’t discuss their problems, her grandfather was diagnosed with ADHD. [47:58] Stacey talks about going through divorce and her mother’s reaction when she created a fund me page. [51:30] She chats about being unmedicated for the last few days because she ran out of her medication. [53:04] Would you consider reaching out to your church to see if you could talk to the congregation about ADHD? [53:18] Stacey speaks about starting a YouTube channel and using sketch comedy to address symptoms. [54:55] What advice do you want to leave the listeners? [57:42] When you are doing something that is purpose-driven and for others and changing people’s lives, you get taken care of. [59:10] Stacey, thank you so much for coming on and sharing your story! [1:00:26] If you are a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at www.ADHDreWired.com
