Isla McKenzie

Cohorts: Teens-20s (rare)

Condition: Non-classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Snapshot

Name: Isla Mckenzie
Age range: 17
Life stage: Late adolescnese
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation: Secondary school student (S6), part-time café job
Relationship and family context: Lives with parents and younger brother; close with mum but finds it hard to talk about health issues; friends donʼt know much about her condition

Health Context

Relevant condition(s): Non-Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
Density of condition(s): Really rare
Key symptoms experienced: Excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), acne, irregular periods, oily skin, occasional mood swings, low self-esteem
Severity and duration: Chronic condition since childhood; symptoms worsened during puberty
Diagnosed or suspected: Diagnosed age 14 after irregular periods and excess hair prompted tests; under paediatric endocrinologist care
Current treatments or management: On low-dose steroid to suppress excess androgens; uses topical acne treatments; avoids heavy makeup to prevent breakouts
Comorbidities or related factors: Social anxiety, self-consciousness, mild depression linked to body image issues, commonly mistaken for PCOS

Triggers and barriers

Main triggers that worsen symptoms: Stress (school exams), poor sleep, inconsistent medication, self-comparison on social media
Barriers to seeking care: Embarrassment discussing her excess hair and periods; thinks doctors donʼt understand teenage girlsʼ confidence issues; tired of being mistaken for having PCOS
Information gaps and misconceptions: Believes sheʼs “just unlucky” with hormones; doesnʼt realise that better androgen control could improve symptoms; doesnʼt connect hormone balance with mental health
Emotional drivers and concerns: Feels “different” from her peers; constantly trying to hide acne and body hair; wishes for normality and confidence

Goals and needs

Primary health goals: Reduce visible symptoms (acne, hair growth); feel more in control of her hormones; understand her condition better
Secondary lifestyle goals: Build confidence, participate in sports without embarrassment, form a positive body image
What “better” looks like to them: Feeling normal and confident enough to wear what she wants without worrying; understanding that her condition doesnʼt define her

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