Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Dave Clarke, MD

“Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders that affect the connective tissues responsible for providing strength and elasticity to the skin, joints, and blood vessels.

It is distinct from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), which involve symptoms related to increased joint mobility but do not meet the stricter diagnostic criteria for EDS.

Individuals with EDS often have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin, which can lead to joint dislocations or sprains, often accompanied by pain.

In some cases, symptoms such as pain, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, and headaches are attributed to EDS or HSD when no other clear explanation is found.

For these patients, it is likely that the brain may play a role in generating or contributing to the symptoms.”

  • Why would the brain do this? Nearly always, one or more types of stress is involved even if this is not fully recognized at first.

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  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    Experiences that would make you sad or angry if they happened to a child for whom you care.

  • Stressful Personality Traits

    Such as focusing too much on the needs of others, excessive self-criticism, perfectionism, lack of assertiveness, and many others.

  • Unrecognized Negative Emotions

    Such as anger, fear, shame, grief, or guilt.

  • Triggers

    Including people, situations, or events that remind you of stressful situations.

  • Current Life Stresses

    Such as work, parenting, pressure from loved ones, or major life changes.

  • Mental Health Challenges

    Such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress.

The good news is that all these sources of stress can be successfully diagnosed and treated.

To explore whether this applies to you, take the self-diagnostic quiz below. It consists of 12 simple 'Yes or No' questions. The more 'Yes' answers you provide, the more likely it is that the resources on this website can help.