ADHD, Chronic Illness & Hypermobility: The Hidden Link? | Dr Jess Eccles

Psychiatrist, researcher and brain-body medicine specialist Dr.
Jessica Eccles joins Ben for a fascinating conversation about the
overlooked physical side of neurodivergence - and why ADHD and
autism are often talked about as “brain-only” experiences when
the body is deeply involved too.


Dr Jess is an Associate Professor in Brain-Body Medicine at
Brighton and Sussex Medical School, a Consultant Psychiatrist
within the Sussex Partnership NHS Neurodevelopmental Service, and
co-leads the world’s first Neurodivergent Brain-Body Clinic. Her
pioneering research explores the links between neurodivergence,
hypermobility, chronic illness, inflammation, autonomic
dysfunction, pain, fatigue and mental health - challenging the
long-standing divide between “physical” and “mental” health.


Dr Jess explains the growing research linking neurodivergence
with chronic illnesses, pain, hypermobility, fatigue,
inflammation, eating disorders, nervous system dysregulation and
temperature sensitivity. Together, they unpack why so many
neurodivergent people describe feeling physically overwhelmed,
burnt out or “unsafe” in their own body - and why those
experiences are so often misunderstood or dismissed in the
healthcare system.


This episode is about joining the dots between brain and body -
and understanding why so many neurodivergent people have spent
years feeling unheard in healthcare, while quietly trying to make
sense of symptoms nobody seemed able to connect.





Join us at hidden20.org/donate.





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Host: Ben Branson


Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné


Video Editor: James Scriven


Social Media Manager: Charlie Young


Music: Jackson Greenberg


Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller


00:00 Introduction


01:42 Dr Jess Eccles: Why Neurodivergence Is About The Brain AND
Body


04:18 ADHD, Autism & Chronic Illness: The Overlap Explained


07:36 Why So Many Neurodivergent People Feel Physically
Dysregulated


10:15 ADHD, Autism & Temperature Regulation


12:06 Eating Disorders, ADHD & Autism


16:08 Why Neurodivergent People Are Often Misunderstood In
Healthcare


19:42 The Nervous System, Stress & Survival Mode


23:30 Trauma Isn’t Always Psychological


27:12 The Link Between Inflammation & Mental Health


31:28 What Is Hypermobility - And Why Does It Matter?


36:14 Autism, ADHD & Physical Health Research Findings


42:20 Why So Many ND Women Are Misdiagnosed


47:48 The Danger Of Separating Mental & Physical Health


52:09 What Dr Jess Wishes More Doctors Understood About
Neurodivergence


56:17 Why Research Takes So Long To Reach The Public


59:12 Inside The World’s First Neurodivergent Brain-Body Clinic


1:05:42 Supporting Your Neurodivergent Nervous System


1:09:38 Dr Jess’s Green Dot Badge


The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben
Branson.


Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees
neurodivergence.


No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.


1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet
too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without
support.


To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep
showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing
stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and
research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people
turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about
brilliant brains.


With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep
fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.


Join us at hidden20.org/donate.


Become a monthly donor.


Be part of our community where great minds think differently.





Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348


______________


Follow & subscribe…


Website: www.hidden20.org


Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity


Ben Branson @seedlip_ben


Dr Jess Eccles @drbendybrain


Youtube: @BendyBrainDrJessicaEccles


Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bendybrain





If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green
dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All
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