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.

Learn more about the "Trifecta" of POTS, hEDS and MCAS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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:

AuDHD and Physical Health

The "Trifecta"

Dysautonomia and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Hypermobility and hEDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)

MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome)

Most Common Autoimmune Diseases in AuDHD Adults

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto’s & Graves’)

Celiac Disease & Gluten-Related Autoimmunity

Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Type 1 Diabetes

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Thyroid panel

Celiac panel

IBD markers

Autoimmune inflammation

Blood sugar regulation

Sjögren’s

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Autoimmune
Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto’s & Graves’)

Psoriasis &
Psoriatic Arthritis