Hypermobility, POTS + ADHD, Autism & Neurodivergence: Dr Jessica Eccles

The recent Webinar, from the "The Hidden 20%" YouTube Page, called “Hypermobility, POTS + ADHD, Autism, ND Connection"  featuring Dr Jessica Eccles, offered one of the clearest, most evidence‑based explanations to date of why so many neurodivergent people experience complex physical symptoms alongside ADHD and autism. For anyone working in neurodiversity, supporting ND communities, or navigating these experiences personally, this session was a landmark moment in connecting the dots between brain and body.

Below is a full, accessible write‑up of the key themes, research findings, and implications for practice — grounded in Dr Eccles’ published work and wider evidence.

The Big Idea: Neurodivergence Is Not “Brain‑Only”

Dr Jessica Eccles — a psychiatrist, researcher, and Associate Professor in Brain‑Body Medicine — has spent years challenging the outdated divide between “mental” and “physical” health. Her research shows that ADHD and autism frequently co‑exist with conditions involving pain, fatigue, autonomic dysfunction, and hypermobility. These aren’t side issues — they are part of the neurodivergent experience for a significant proportion of people.

The webinar emphasised a simple but transformative message: If someone is neurodivergent, clinicians should expect physical symptoms — not dismiss them.

Hypermobility: More Than Flexible Joints

Hypermobility is relatively common in the general population, but far more common in neurodivergent groups, including ADHD and autism.

Key points from the webinar and research:

• Hypermobility is linked to pain, fatigue, gut issues, dizziness, and anxiety.

• Case‑control studies show ADHD and dyspraxia frequently co‑occur with hypermobility.

• People with symptomatic hypermobility (EDS/JHS) have significantly higher odds of also being neurodivergent.

• Differences in the amygdala may make hypermobile individuals more sensitive to pain and anxiety.

Dr Eccles’ work shows that many people with chronic pain or fatigue meet criteria for hypermobility — often without ever being told.

Dysautonomia & POTS: The Autonomic Nervous System Connection

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) — a condition where heart rate spikes dramatically upon standing — is increasingly recognised in neurodivergent populations.

Symptoms include:

• Dizziness or fainting

• Fatigue

• Gut problems

• Temperature regulation difficulties

• “Brain fog”
  

The webinar highlighted that orthostatic intolerance is more common in ADHD and autism, and that clinicians should screen for POTS when neurodivergent patients report unexplained fatigue or dizziness.

Why These Conditions Co‑Exist

Dr Eccles’ research points to several mechanisms linking ADHD, autism, hypermobility, pain, and autonomic dysfunction:

1. Connective Tissue Differences

Hypermobility affects joints, but also blood vessels, gut motility, and the nervous system — explaining why symptoms cross multiple systems.

2. Interoception Differences

Many neurodivergent people experience heightened or altered internal bodily awareness, contributing to pain sensitivity, anxiety, and dysregulation.

3. Brain‑Body Pathways

Differences in the amygdala and autonomic regulation may explain why hypermobility is linked to anxiety and chronic pain in ND groups.

4. Inflammation & Immune System Factors

Studies show correlations between hypermobility, fatigue, pain, and inflammatory markers — suggesting biological pathways that overlap with neurodivergence.

Why ND People Are Often Misunderstood in Healthcare

The webinar echoed a common experience: neurodivergent people frequently report feeling dismissed, disbelieved, or told their symptoms are “just anxiety”.

Dr Eccles highlighted several reasons:

• Medical training separates “mental” and “physical” health.

• Women and AFAB people are disproportionately misdiagnosed.

• ND communication differences can lead clinicians to underestimate symptoms.

• Many clinicians are unaware of the ND–hypermobility–POTS connection.

Her message was clear: we need ND‑informed, brain‑body‑aware healthcare.

What This Means for Neurodivergent People

The webinar offered reassurance and validation for many attendees:

• Your pain is real.

• Your fatigue is real.

• Your dizziness, gut issues, and sensory overwhelm are real.

• And they are common in ADHD and autism — not personal failings.
  

Dr Eccles encouraged clinicians and support services to adopt ND‑friendly approaches, including:

• Trauma‑informed communication

• Flexible appointment formats

• Screening for hypermobility and autonomic dysfunction

• Recognising sensory and interoceptive differences

  
  
  
  

Management & Support Strategies

While the webinar was not a medical advice session, Dr Eccles’ research highlights several helpful approaches:

• Pacing & fatigue management

• Physiotherapy tailored for hypermobility

• Autonomic regulation strategies (hydration, compression garments, salt intake — when medically appropriate)

• Pain management approaches that avoid dismissing symptoms

• ND‑affirming mental health support

My Final Thoughts

This webinar was a powerful step forward in public understanding of neurodivergent health. Dr Jessica Eccles’ work is reshaping how clinicians, educators, and support organisations understand ADHD and autism — not as isolated cognitive profiles, but as whole‑body neurodevelopmental conditions with complex physical dimensions.

For ND communities, this knowledge is more than academic. It’s validating. It’s empowering. And it opens the door to better, more compassionate care!

You can watch the full session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7fzuYUAoDg