{"id":39541,"date":"2025-08-02T02:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T02:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/39541\/"},"modified":"2025-08-02T02:46:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T02:46:09","slug":"people-are-just-realising-adhd-is-linked-to-hypermobility-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/39541\/","title":{"rendered":"People Are Just Realising ADHD Is Linked To Hypermobility Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are 3 million people <\/a>with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in the UK \u2013 623,000 of them are kids.<\/p>\n

Signs associated with the disorder include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can impact day-to-day life. <\/p>\n

In a recent post<\/a> shared on the ADHD Love Instagram account, Richard and Roxanne Pink had a humorous discussion about Rox\u2019s hypermobility \u2013 and how the condition has been linked to ADHD.<\/p>\n

It prompts Richard, who describes himself as neurotypical, to jokily tell Roxanne, who has ADHD: \u201cWait, your wiggly witch fingers are neurodivergent?\u201d<\/p>\n

Judging by the comments, the link between the two came as a surprise to quite a few people. \u201cWow, constantly finding out new things about myself,\u201d said one commenter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat explains so much\u2026 dang I thought my bendy tricks were special,\u201d added another.<\/p>\n

Are ADHD and hypermobility linked?<\/p>\n

Yes. Studies have pointed to a link between ADHD and joint hypermobility, where a person has very flexible joints (sometimes referred to as being double-jointed).<\/p>\n

One study<\/a> published in the journal of Psychiatric Research found ADHD was \u201csignificantly\u201d associated with hypermobility.<\/p>\n

Dr Mukesh Kripalani of The ADHD Centre<\/a> told HuffPost UK: \u201cThere is indeed a growing body of research suggesting that ADHD may not be solely a neurodevelopmental condition, but one that also involves multisystemic and physical health factors.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said links have been noted between ADHD and conditions such as hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), dysautonomia, autism, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mast cell activation (allergy-type symptoms), and chronic fatigue syndrome.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is by no means a definitive conclusion, but a growing area of interest that warrants continued attention,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

In the video on ADHD Love, Rox said her bendy joints are \u201cnot a party trick\u201d but \u201csome kind of connective tissue thing that affects your collagen\u201d.<\/p>\n

The NHS suggests as much<\/a> on its page about joint hypermobility syndrome, explaining for those with the condition, \u201cusually, the joints are loose and stretchy because the ligaments that should make them stronger and support them are weak\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe weakness is because the collagen that strengthens the ligaments is different from other people\u2019s,\u201d the health service added.<\/p>\n

Joint hypermobility syndrome is part of a spectrum of hypermobility disorders, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).<\/p>\n

This specific syndrome impacts the connective tissues in the body and can be mild in some and disabling in others. People with EDS might have joint hypermobility, as well as stretchy and\/or fragile skin that breaks or bruises easily.<\/p>\n

Dr Kripalani said in clinical experience, treatment of ADHD often leads to improvements in emotional resilience, \u201cand in some cases, pain syndromes appear to improve as well \u2013 potentially reducing the risk of long-term negative outcomes\u201d.<\/p>\n

If you think you might have joint hypermobility syndrome, it\u2019s worth booking an appointment with a GP, who might be able to refer you to a physiotherapist.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, if you\u2019re struggling with joint pain, paracetamol or ibuprofen might help, as well as taking warm baths, using hot water bottles and using heat-rub creams.<\/a><\/p>\n