ADHD & Hypermobility: The Body–Brain Link

How are ADHD and hypermobility connected? And what does that mean for our kids’ bodies, brains and behaviour?

In this episode, Claire is joined by Dr Jessica Eccles, Consultant Psychiatrist, Associate Professor in Brain–Body Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and award‑winning researcher. Drawing on over 17 years of research, Jessica unpacks:

🤸‍♀️What hypermobility really is: exploring hypermobility as a clue to connective tissue differences affecting joints, gut, blood vessels, lungs, skin & more. 

👀Clues for parents to spot hypermobility early: such as sitting in “the W position”, sway‑back knees, frequent ankle sprains, “clicky hips” & long thin fingers or toes.

😵‍💫Pain, dizziness, POTS & standing in queues: how loose connective tissue affects blood flow, and can cause light‑headedness or palpitations, causing struggles with things like school assemblies, queues & hot showers.

🧬The prevalence of hypermobility in women with ADHD and autism (nearly 70%!) : the fascinating research linking hypermobility with many other conditions, including ADHD, autism and Tourette’s, dizziness, inflammation, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and long Covid.

🌡️The surprising links between hypermobility, emotion regulation, interoception & alexithymia: exploring the connections between the nervous system, difficulty naming feelings (alexithymia), poor interoception (e.g. not noticing hunger) & how this relates to meltdowns & impulsivity.

🏫School, support & reasonable adjustments: why school can be extra hard due to pain, fatigue and dizziness, plus practical ideas to support children.

🌟From “falling apart” to pattern recognition & strengths: helping families see one connected picture instead of “15 separate problems”, and recognising the strengths it brings, such as creativity & unique ways of thinking.

If your child has ADHD and also struggles with tummy troubles, joint pain, clumsiness, dizziness, fatigue, or “mystery” symptoms, this episode may completely reframe how you understand them. It offers a powerful, science‑backed lens on the brain–body connection that could change how you advocate for, and support your child.

Resources & Links

• Dr Jesscia Eccles Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bendybrain

• Bendy Brain YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BendyBrainDrJessicaEccles 

-Dr Jessica Eccles interview with her mum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3SCSdMMfIo 

-Anxiety and emotional regulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szH-jEr6SNA&list=PLYbWSKEtwW7cv-IH55EXbI8PtZJ5RlN3H&index=6 

• EDS GP Toolkit (for talking with your GP about hypermobility): https://gptoolkit.ehlers-danlos.org/ 

• EDS School Toolkit (school‑based support ideas): https://theschooltoolkit.org/ 

• SEDS Connective – charity on hypermobility & neurodivergence (Jane Green): https://www.sedsconnective.org/ 

• Neurodivergent characteristics predicting emotional regulation problems linked to proprioception: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39005028/ 

• Chronic pain and fatigue paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33479064/ 

• BBC History of ADHD episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0028997

• Jane Green - Alphabet Soup: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7kPEeuOMgB/ 

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/ 

• Types of EDS - EDS3 / EDHST /  JHS / BJHS: https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/what-is-eds/information-on-eds/types-of-eds/ 

• Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/ 

• Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/ 

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.