Introduction
I am not an expert in hypermobility. I know people who are and will be sharing resources in this blog. At 60, I can look back and see that I have a number of symptoms of hypermobility. They have affected me physically and mentally. One example is spraining my ankles on three different occasions and then breaking them both at the same time, just walking out of my kitchen door. I used to be a gymnast as a child. I’m also neurodivergent. I’ve had all sorts of issues. What have been your experiences?
How did it all begin?
When I was researching neurodivergence and mental health for my radio show (Love Your Mind, Frome FM, 2023), I came across Jane Green MBE, who runs an organisation called SEDS Connective https://www.sedsconnective.org. I interviewed her and found what she said to be fascinating. I started joining the dots. I discovered that more research and studies have been done, looking at the connection between neurodivergence and hypermobility.
The Connection between Hypermobility and Neurodivergence
Research is growing around the subject, and more will be discovered as time goes by. Here are just some of the symptoms you may have experienced.
- Joint or bone issues, sprains, dislocations, breaks
- Dizziness
- Temperature control issues
- Fragile skin or skin that bruises easily or is stretchy
- Are you bendy, double-jointed, or have you been?
- Poor balance or clumsy
- Fatigue
- Gut issues
- Hernias or prolapse
- Allergies
- Depression and or anxiety
- Autism, ADHD (or both), Tourette’s, Dyslexia
Hypermobility, neurodivergence and mental health
With lived experience and as a Psychotherapist, I wanted to feel better and support other people who have struggled throughout their lives. It is not really surprising that we can feel stress, anxiety and depression when we have had weird symptoms and often can’t get the support we need.
Imagine you go to the doctor and tell them you feel pain constantly. Perhaps you have gut issues or keep finding bruises. Maybe you have had vertigo or other dizzy spells, or you keep spraining joints. With only ten minutes for an appointment, you don’t even know what information to give or where to begin. Has the GP dismissed you or suggested it’s all in your head and prescribed antidepressants?
Conditions like hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (there are many more different types) are complex, especially when you factor in autism or ADHD. It’s a minefield. I wonder how upsetting and frustrating it has been for you to try and explain your experiences to loved ones, too?
The same can apply when you have had counselling. Does your therapist understand neurodivergence, hypermobility and the connection? Many don’t.
Support for hypermobility
Dr Jessica Eccles at the University of Sussex is a leading neurodevelopmental psychiatrist whose work bridges brain body medicine and neurodivergence. She has transformed understanding between hypermobility, mental health and neurodivergence. Here is her YouTube channel called Bendy Brains that has videos which explain what you might be going through. It helped me enormously: https://www.youtube.com/@BendyBrainDrJessicaEccles
Resources about Hypermobility and Neurodivergence
Credit @beccajeann.e
Credit @theneuroverseza
Here is an episode of ADHD Chatter with Alex Partridge and Dr Jessica Eccles: https://youtu.be/iNeQm5atZjg?si=9sb-XESyF_cbjBY1
Counselling for Hypermobility and Neurodivergence
I offer online counselling nationally and face-to-face appointments locally at my private practice in Frome.
Here you will find a space to share all of your experiences. I will listen.
Validation is key. This may be the first opportunity you have had to feel as though you are not going completely mad. What you have been feeling is real. I bet your mental health has taken a nosedive with all that you have been through. I’m here to support you. I will help you advocate for yourself.
As I said at the start, I am not an expert in hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos and related conditions. I can support you with your mental health surrounding these conditions. Please complete the contact form for a free twenty-minute phone consult.