Neurodivergence and Joint Hypermobility: Exploring the Relationship

I’m your host, psychotherapist Christina Crowe, and I love making invisible things visible. Today I have the privilege of speaking with global hyper-mobility experts Dr. Nimish Mittal and Dr. Jessica Eccles, and we break down some of the mystery behind the connections between hyper-mobility syndromes, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome(s) and neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, Autism and Tourette’s. Stay tuned for an information packed episode today that will help so many people living with connective tissue and sensory disorders,  find both validation and direction.

Today we:

• We define what EDS is and isn’t,
• Talk about how it's different from 'hyper-mobility'?,
• Learn about the connection between EDS, ADHD and Autism, and
• Learn from the doc's how can patients talk to their doctors effectively about the symptoms they are experiencing.

Resources mentioned in the show: 

• Learn more about Dr. Nimish Mittal’s GoodHope Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Clinic in Toronto,
• Dr. Eccles recent research: Joint Hypermobility Links Neurodivergence to Dysautonomia and Pain,
• Free Downloadable Symptom Tracker from Dig a Little Deeper, to help share information with your primary care practitioner.
• The EDS Society website Resources, and Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder’, a new book by Claire Smith
• Learn about the presentation, symptoms and how to check if you might have a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) ,
• Learn about the 13 subtypes of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS),
• Use the discount code ‘PEBBLE’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD:Couples.

About our guests:  

Dr. Nimish Mittal is an Assistant Professor at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Mittal holds a cross-appointment in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. He holds a Master’s in Health Research Methodology.

Dr Jessica Eccles is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the Department of Neuroscience.  Her research is in brain-body interactions, particularly related to joint hypermobility.  She is an adult liaison psychiatrist and consultant in the Sussex Neurodevelopmental Service and co-lead of their Neurodivergent Brain Body Clinic. 

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A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. 

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