Neurodiversity, ADHD, and Racial Bias in Psychiatry with Dr. Isaiah Crum

Dr. Isaiah Crum M.D. is a board-certified psychiatrist in New York City specializing in the mental health of young professionals. He grew up in a community that treated a fast, curious mind as a problem to be corrected. He became a psychiatrist anyway, making his life's work out of what others once called his flaw. His practice is built on a simple premise: psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, look different depending on who you are and where you come from, and too many people have been misread, under-treated, or told nothing was wrong because no one was trained to see them clearly. He is currently building an independent practice designed to change that.

In this episode of Faster Than Normal, Peter Shankman interviews Dr. Crumb, a psychiatrist specializing in neurodiversity and mental health within Black communities. Together, they explore the nuances of ADHD diagnosis, the impact of racial bias in psychiatry, and the importance of representation and understanding in mental health.

0:02 - Introduction and guest background

1:09 - Growing up with neurodiversity in Omaha, Nebraska

2:02 - The stigma and late diagnosis of ADHD

3:41 - The role of health insurance and diagnosis in women of color

4:08 - Gender differences in ADHD presentation and masking

5:08 - ADHD in incarcerated populations and underserved groups

5:47 - Coping strategies before diagnosis, including caffeine and gamification

7:15 - The importance of hacks and adaptive strategies from lived experiences

8:08 - The concept of masking and its costs, especially in Black communities

9:03 - Overlap of ADHD symptoms with anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation