'Support group has destigmatised my ADHD'

Hannah was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021

A support group in Manchester is helping young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to have a deeper understanding and acceptance of the condition.

Greater Manchester Youth Network offers a monthly session for 13 to 25-year-olds with lived experience of ADHD, with or without an official diagnosis.

ADHD Youth Voice attendees get to socialise and also give feedback to NHS commissioners about their views of services in the region.

"Coming here has made me feel that ADHD is something to be proud of", said Hannah Molloy, 22, from Tameside. "I didn't actually want a diagnosis because there's a lot of stigma around ADHD and I think coming here has destigmatised that."

Bethany Carter-Roberts uses art to show how ADHD affects people

It is estimated up to 168,000 adults and children in Greater Manchester have ADHD, with more than 40,000 children and adults on waiting lists for an assessment through the NHS.

Symptoms can include difficulties with concentration, energy levels, impulsiveness, and time management.

The ADHD Youth Voice group is making a magazine to raise awareness of the condition that will be shared with schools, GPs, and other health services.

Bethany Carter-Roberts, 27, an illustrator from Northamptonshire, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and has been helping the group to express their feelings using art.

"I really hope it empowers them. I think it will be really meaningful for them to see something physically created that represents their voice."

Ms Carter-Roberts says noise-cancelling headphones help to stop her feeling overwhelmed

Ms Carter-Roberts made a cartoon of herself to inspire the group. "I've got really messy hair because sometimes I might go days without remembering to wash my hair."

She said she also drew a book full of ideas, which she said she thought of "non-stop".

"Sometimes when I should be thinking about cleaning the house I'm thinking about this new idea I've got."

Ruwaydah is on a waiting list for an ADHD assessment

Ruwaydah, 25, from Manchester, said she hoped the drawings would help to educate people about what ADHD really is.

"I've drawn this kind of weird, blobby, alien-type ghost thing, and it's got a little mask on because I feel like a lot of people with ADHD end up masking and you can't really see what they're actually feeling.

"People think that ADHD just means you're a little quirky, or a little bit silly, and they don't actually realise the deeper implications that it can have on your life."

Ruwaydah says the ADHD Youth Voice group has given her a safe space to share her story

Ruwaydah said the group had helped to build her confidence.

"It's been nice to be around other people who have similar issues.

"Sometimes we'll talk about stuff and it's like, 'I didn't realise that was an ADHD thing', but everyone else has that same problem, so I'm not completely strange."