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BBC Young Reporter: Hexham teenager on life with ADHD

A teenager is striving to educate people about non-traditional presentations of ADHD.

Having been diagnosed at age 12, 17-year-old Anna, from Hexham, Northumberland, considers herself incredibly lucky to be able understand her behaviour.

Female ADHD and inattentive presentations of the disorder are rarer to diagnose, compared to the more distinct hyperactive behaviour.

"I think the fact that I knew that I was neuro-divergent and not just broken, really helped me to understand who I was as I person," she explained.

Anna highlighted how a lack of a diagnosis could have led to self-esteem and mental health struggles, as she has noticed with some of her peers.

Anna was a North of England winner in the BBC Young Reporter competition.

Video produced by Alex Challies.

If you are 11-18 years old and have a great story to share, BBC Young Reporter wants to hear it.

14 December 2023

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