Hypermobility, ADHD, And You: Useful Things To Know
You may know someone who’s double-jointed. Maybe you’re even double-jointed yourself. This is generally called being hypermobile, which means that you can bend your joints past their typical range of motion. While hypermobility often doesn’t cause any problems, some people may face concerns like chronic pain and fatigue. This is usually called “joint hypermobility syndrome,” and it can be common in people with ADHD. Treatments like therapy and lifestyle changes may help you better manage your symptoms—whether you have ADHD, joint hypermobility syndrome, or both.
What is hypermobility?
In general, “hypermobility” is the medical term for when your joints are more flexible than most people’s. You might be able to fold your fingers back into your forearms or bend your elbows backward. This is sometimes called “being double-jointed.”
It can be common to have hypermobility in one or two joints, and for many people, this isn’t a problem. But if hypermobile joints cause chronic physical symptoms, this may be a sign of joint hypermobility syndrome (sometimes also called “benign joint hypermobility syndrome” or “hypermobility spectrum disorder”).
Joint hypermobility syndrome is usually more than just being double-jointed. Its symptoms may include the following:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Musculoskeletal pain (pain you feel in your tendons, ligaments, bones, or muscles)
- Frequent injuries, like sprains and dislocations
People with joint hypermobility syndrome often have co-occurring physical symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. Orthostatic intolerance symptoms normally happen when you’re standing upright and disappear when you’re sitting or lying down. Some examples can include dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
Understanding ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that is often diagnosed during childhood. People with ADHD frequently have trouble managing their energy levels and paying attention.
Although we don’t yet know the exact reasons behind this disorder, research has found differences in brains with ADHD that may explain some of the symptoms. For example, children with ADHD usually have a smaller prefrontal cortex, which can be described as an area near the front of the brain that manages decision-making, planning, and impulse control. ADHD may also cause differences in levels of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that typically plays a role in motivation, pleasure, and movement.
ADHD can cause three main types of symptoms: hyperactivity (trouble with movement and energy), impulsiveness (trouble with impulse control), and inattentiveness (trouble with motivation). A person may experience mainly hyperactivity and impulsiveness, mainly inattentiveness, or a combination of all three.
Hyperactivity can look like:
- Struggling to sit still
- Talking excessively or struggling to stay quiet
- Experiencing urges to always be “on the go”
- Squirming, pacing, or fidgeting
Impulsiveness can look like:
- Making big decisions or commitments on a whim
- Blurting things out without thinking
- Interrupting others or “butting into” conversations
- Doing high-risk activities, like unsafe driving, gambling, or impulse shopping
Inattentiveness can look like:
- Daydreaming or getting lost in thought often
- Frequently overlooking, losing, or forgetting things
- Struggling to start and finish tasks, especially ones that are mentally demanding
- Becoming easily distracted
These symptoms may cause various challenges in people’s personal and professional lives. Left unaddressed, they may also contribute to other psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.
The hypermobility-ADHD connection
Another thing to note about ADHD is that it can be categorized as a form of neurodivergence. This means that people with ADHD generally have brains that work differently than other people’s, which can affect how they experience the world. Other examples of neurodivergence can include those below:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Dyslexia
- Tourette syndrome
- Down syndrome
A growing body of research suggests that neurodiverse people tend to have higher rates of joint hypermobility-related disorders. In one study from 2022, researchers studied 109 neurodiverse adults, as well as a control group. They checked each group for hypermobility and other symptoms. What they found was that 51% of the neurodiverse group showed signs of hypermobility, compared to 17.5% of the control group.
Other studies have looked at ADHD specifically and shown a connection to hypermobility disorders. In a 2021 study, 431 adults with ADHD and 417 non-ADHD adults were checked for musculoskeletal symptoms and other signs of connective tissue disorders. Researchers found that ADHD seemed to be significantly associated with generalized joint hypermobility. The reasons for this link are still being studied.
Getting help for your symptoms
Neither ADHD nor joint hypermobility syndrome can be “cured.” However, there are treatments available that may help you better manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. If your symptoms are causing you distress, consider talking to your doctor to find an approach that’s right for you.
Treating ADHD may involve the following options:
- Medication: This is often a first-line treatment for ADHD. Depending on your symptoms and needs, your doctor may prescribe different medications. Always speak to your doctor or psychiatrist regarding medication questions.
- Lifestyle changes: Changing your daily habits may help you manage stress and improve your productivity. Some examples may include creating structured routines, setting alarms and reminders, and using earplugs or headphones to limit distractions. Other options include limiting caffeine and sugar intake, getting plenty of exercise, and practicing healthy sleep habits.
- Therapy: Therapy is often a key part of managing ADHD. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be useful for changing thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to symptoms.
Treating joint hypermobility may involve the interventions discussed below:
- Medication: If joint hypermobility syndrome is causing you pain, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter painkillers or topical ointments to help you manage it. In severe cases, they may also prescribe stronger pain medicine.
- Lifestyle changes: Strengthening the muscles and ligaments around your joints may help protect them from injury and give them better support. Strength training is often useful for this. Using orthotic inserts, practicing mindfulness, and improving your posture may also be helpful.
- Therapy: Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help you improve your balance, posture, and joint health. Psychotherapy, such as CBT or mindfulness-based therapy, is another treatment that people often find helpful for managing chronic pain.
Therapy can be useful for improving your quality of life, whether you have ADHD or joint hypermobility syndrome. However, if joint hypermobility is causing you chronic pain, you might find it hard to leave the house. Add in possible challenges with organization and time management due to ADHD, and commuting to in-person therapy may be even more difficult. With online therapy, you can connect with a therapist from the comfort of your own home. This may make it an easier option if you’re living with ADHD and joint hypermobility syndrome.
Research shows that online therapy may be an effective treatment for both ADHD symptoms and chronic pain. In a 2022 study, researchers looked at data from six studies of online interventions for ADHD, finding that they usually led to improvements in social function and attention.
Meanwhile, in a different 2022 review, researchers analyzed 33 studies of online CBT treatments for chronic pain. They found that online therapy typically reduced distress and improved quality of life among chronic pain patients.
Takeaway
Hypermobility generally refers to having unusually flexible joints. For many people, this isn’t a problem. However, some people may have joint hypermobility syndrome, which can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and other unpleasant symptoms. Joint hypermobility syndrome can be common among people with ADHD, a disorder that can involve inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. With the right combination of online or in-person therapy, lifestyle changes, and doctor-prescribed medication, both these conditions may be managed for a better quality of life.
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