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Doctor With Patient

AuDHD and Physical Health

People with AuDHD are significantly more at risk for hypermobility, dysautonomia, POTS, MCAS-type symptoms, as well as many auto-immune diseases. Treating these conditions improves overall health, stamina, and psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression. 

The "Trifecta"

Dysautonomia and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

  • POTS is a form of dysautonomia where the autonomic nervous system fails to properly regulate blood flow when transitioning to an upright position.

  • Key Symptoms:

    • Heart rate spike of 30+ beats per minute upon standing

    • Dizziness and lightheadedness

    • Heart palpitations or racing chest

    • Fainting or near-fainting spells

    • Severe brain fog and chronic fatigue​

Hypermobility and hEDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)

  • Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder characterized by systemic tissue fragility and structural instability due to faulty collagen production. 

  • Key Symptoms:

    • Loose, hyperextensible, or frequently dislocating joints

    • Chronic, widespread musculoskeletal and joint pain

    • Stretchy, fragile skin that bruises easily

    • Early-onset osteoarthritis or joint instability

    • Persistent fatigue from overworked muscles stabilizing joints

MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome)

  • Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is an immunological condition where mast cells inappropriately and excessively release inflammatory chemical mediators (like histamine) into the body. 

  • Key Symptoms:

    • Skin flushing, hives, rashes, or intense itching

    • Gastrointestinal distress (abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, reflux)

    • Respiratory issues like sudden wheezing, coughing, or throat tightness

    • Extreme sensitivities to foods, medications, chemicals, and temperature

    • Recurrent, unexplained anaphylaxis-like episodes

Most Common Autoimmune Diseases in AuDHD Adults

Autoimmune
Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto’s & Graves’)

This is the #1 most common autoimmune condition in autistic and ADHD adults — and even more common in AuDHD.

Why it’s common:

  • Thyroid autoimmunity is strongly linked to neurodevelopmental differences.

  • Mast-cell activation and chronic inflammation increase thyroid vulnerability.

  • hEDS/hypermobility populations also show elevated thyroid autoimmunity.

Symptoms that overlap with AuDHD:

  • fatigue

  • brain fog

  • anxiety

  • depression

  • temperature dysregulation

  • dizziness

  • GI issues

Many AuDHD adults get misdiagnosed with “anxiety” when it’s actually thyroid autoimmunity.

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Celiac Disease & Gluten-Related Autoimmunity

Celiac disease is significantly more common in autistic adults, ADHD adults, and especially AuDHD adults.

Why it’s common:

  • Mast-cell activation increases GI inflammation.

  • Dysautonomia affects gut motility.

  • Hypermobile connective tissue affects digestion.

  • Neuroimmune differences increase sensitivity to food antigens.

Symptoms that overlap with AuDHD:

  • nausea

  • diarrhea/constipation

  • bloating

  • fatigue

  • headaches

  • brain fog

  • joint pain

Many AuDHD adults think they have “IBS” when it’s actually autoimmune GI disease.

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Psoriasis &
Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis is one of the most strongly linked autoimmune conditions to ADHD — and the overlap increases in AuDHD.

Why it’s common:

  • Chronic inflammation + mast-cell activation

  • Stress dysregulation

  • Immune signaling differences

Symptoms:

  • skin plaques

  • joint pain

  • fatigue

  • inflammation flares

This often gets missed because AuDHD adults have sensory issues that make skin symptoms harder to interpret.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA appears at higher rates in both autistic and ADHD adults — and especially in those with hypermobility.

Why it’s common:

  • Connective tissue differences increase joint vulnerability.

  • Chronic inflammation + mast-cell activation.

  • Dysautonomia increases pain sensitivity.

Symptoms:

  • joint pain

  • swelling

  • stiffness

  • fatigue

Many AuDHD adults assume their pain is “just hypermobility” when it’s actually autoimmune.

Type 1 Diabetes

Autistic adults have higher rates of Type 1 diabetes, and ADHD adults show elevated risk as well.

Why it’s common:

  • Immune dysregulation

  • Mast-cell involvement

  • Genetic overlap

Symptoms:

  • fatigue

  • dizziness

  • thirst

  • frequent urination

  • blood sugar crashes

This can mimic dysautonomia symptoms.​​

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Why it’s common:

  • Mast-cell activation

  • Dysautonomia-related GI dysmotility

  • Connective tissue differences

  • Immune signaling differences

Symptoms:

  • abdominal pain

  • diarrhea

  • weight loss

  • fatigue

  • nutrient deficiencies

Many AuDHD adults get misdiagnosed with “IBS” for years.​​​

Sjögren’s Syndrome

​​This autoimmune condition is increasingly recognized in dysautonomia clinics — especially in patients with POTS.

Why it’s common:

  • Autonomic neuropathy

  • Mast-cell involvement

  • Connective tissue overlap

Symptoms:

  • dry eyes

  • dry mouth

  • fatigue

  • joint pain

  • neuropathy

Sjögren’s is one of the autoimmune causes of dysautonomia.

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Thyroid panel

  • TSH

  • Free T4

  • Free T3

  • Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO)

  • Thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb)

Celiac panel

  • tTG-IgA

  • EMA

  • Total IgA

  • Deamidated gliadin peptides

IBD markers

  • fecal calprotectin

  • CRP

  • colonoscopy (if indicated)​

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Autoimmune inflammation

  • ANA

  • ESR

  • CRP

  • Rheumatoid factor

  • Anti-CCP

Blood sugar regulation

  • fasting glucose

  • A1C

  • autoantibodies (if Type 1 suspected)​

Sjögren’s

  • SSA

  • SSB

  • Schirmer test

If someone is AuDHD and has chronic symptoms, these are the most important tests to screen for autoimmune diseases:

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