Hypermobile and Hypersensitive? Understanding Sensory Processing Today

Sensitivity in the Spotlight and Why Labels Matter More Than Ever

In today’s politically charged climate, the act of labeling—whether as a diagnosis, identity, or personality trait—has become a battleground. With the current administration rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, discussions around neurodiversity, sensitivity, and individuality are under scrutiny. But what happens when those labels define real, lived experiences? When they help people navigate their world, understand themselves, and access support? This is especially true for individuals with hypermobility, who often experience heightened sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) alongside their physical symptoms. Let’s explore what it really means to be both hypermobile and highly sensitive, free from labels that divide and full of insight that informs and unites us.

Sensory Sensitivity and Hypermobility: The Unseen Link

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” you’re not alone. High sensitivity, particularly in the form of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) or being what’s now commonly referred to as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), is a legitimate, research-backed trait found in roughly 15–20% of the population (National Institutes of Health). It’s not a disorder but a neurobiological trait characterized by deep cognitive processing, stronger emotional reactivity, and heightened awareness of the environment. This can often manifest in deeper emotional bonds, more empathy for others in ways that extend other people’s abilities – which can be a burden and gift.

For individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), this heightened sensitivity is often more than ‘just emotional’—it’s physiological. The connective tissue that supports every system in the body, including the nervous system, is affected in EDS. Many hypermobile individuals experience amplified sensory input, from an intense reaction to bright lights and loud noises to discomfort from clothing textures and temperature fluctuations.

Dr. Jessica Eccles, a leading researcher in this field, has explored the links between hypermobility and neurodivergence, including heightened anxiety, autonomic dysfunction, and sensory sensitivities. As she suggests, the overlap between these conditions may be more than coincidental. Dr Eccles led a study which found that neurodivergent people are more than twice as likely as the general population to have hypermobile joints and are far more likely to experience pain on a regular basis. To learn more on her work, watch her latest webinar from the EDS UK or listen to the feature on BBC Radio 4 Inside Health (10 mins in). Be sure to stay tuned for details on our upcoming EDS community live Q&A webinar featuring Dr. Eccles this November! For now, watch her popular Academy of Medical Sciences Webcast on exploring the link between joint hypermobility and anxiety.

The Science Behind Sensitivity

Research confirms that individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity experience neurological differences that set them apart from the general population. These key distinctions include:

Increased Activity in the Limbic System: This region, often called the “emotional brain,” shows greater activation in highly sensitive people, making emotional experiences more intense (Source).
Enhanced Sensory Processing: Sounds, textures, and lighting can feel overwhelming due to heightened neural activity in sensory regions (Source).
Deeper Information Processing: HSPs tend to analyze information more thoroughly, which can be an asset for creativity and problem-solving but also lead to overthinking (Source).
Greater Empathy and Social Awareness: Research suggests that HSPs have more active mirror neurons, which aid in understanding and responding to others’ emotions (Source).
Differences in Brain Structure and Function: Some research indicates that there may be differences in the structure and function of specific brain regions in HSPs, particularly those involved in processing emotions, sensory information, and social cognition. (Source)

Understanding these neurological differences helps reframe sensitivity as an inherent trait rather than a flaw or a weakness. And for those with EDS, recognizing and managing the sensory component of their condition can lead to more effective self-care strategies.

HSP vs. Autism: Where Are the Differences?

While both Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) and individuals with autism may experience sensory overload, their underlying mechanisms differ significantly. Wondering if you might be an HSP? If you’re curious, take this expert’s online test to see if you are highly sensitive or see these 21 warning signs. It’s important to understand that HSP is a trait, not a diagnosable condition, and tends to be more adaptable to environmental changes. Autism, on the other hand, is a neurodevelopmental condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

One key cognitive difference lies in information processing:

HSPs engage in deep processing, meaning they intensely analyze emotions, details, and subtleties.
Autistic individuals often engage in broad processing, categorizing multiple sensory inputs simultaneously.

This distinction is crucial in understanding that while both groups may struggle with overstimulation, their coping strategies and responses vary widely.

For a more in-depth exploration of autism from lived experience perspectives, check out our sister article featuring details on living with autism written by EDS patient writer Jan Groh who is autistic.

Managing Sensory Overload: Practical Tips

Understanding sensitivity is just the first step—learning to manage it is just as important. Whether you’re navigating daily overstimulation from chronic pain, social settings, or environmental triggers, these strategies can help:

Calm an Overwhelmed Brain: Engage the parasympathetic nervous system with deep breathing techniques, such as inhaling for four seconds, holding for two, and exhaling slowly for seven, called the 4-7-8 breathing method known to kick on the calming side of the nervous system.
Create a Sensory Toolkit: Noise-canceling headphones, tinted glasses, soft clothing without tags, or weighted blankets can help regulate sensory input.
Schedule Recovery Time: Recognize that social interactions and high-stimulus environments require downtime afterward. Build breaks into your schedule.
Practice Mindful Unplugging: Limit screen time, social media, and digital interactions that contribute to cognitive overload resulting in emotional dysregulation.
Use Movement as Regulation: Gentle stretching, simple rehabilitative yoga, or grounding exercises can help reset the nervous system, especially for those with hypermobility. Try Qi Gong, an ancient slower practice to Tai Chi with less chance of injury.
Develop a Rest Routine: Prioritize activities that promote relaxation, such as nature walks, journaling, or listening to calming music.
Set Boundaries: Whether with people, work or volunteer commitments, or even news consumption, learning to say no can be a crucial form of self-care.

Sensitivity Is Not a Weakness

The world today often equates resilience with emotional detachment, toughness, and fast-paced decision-making. But research, especially Dr. Elaine Aron’s work on high sensitivity, suggests that the ability to process deeply, empathize, and observe before acting is a powerful form of intelligence. High sensitivity is not vulnerability—it’s susceptibility, an openness to both the good and the bad in life.

Reframing how we think about sensitivity allows us to embrace it as a strength rather than a flaw. Rather than being a burden, high sensitivity can lead to stronger relationships, creative insights, and a heightened appreciation for beauty in all forms.

So, next time someone asks, “Why are you so sensitive?” consider responding with confidence: “I’m not sensitive—I’m perceptive.”

Further Resources

For more insights, strategies, and support, explore these expert resources:

Dr. Elaine Aron’s Highly Sensitive Person Website (hsperson.com)
Julie Bjelland’s Sensitivity Support Platform (sensitivityresearch.com)
Books on High Sensitivity: Love Your Sensitivity by Arcadia Page, The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron

By understanding and embracing sensitivity, particularly in the context of hypermobility, individuals can shift from simply surviving their sensitivities to thriving with them.

Note: Some people in the autistic community view the concept of Highly Sensitive People (HSP) as a reframing of certain autistic traits, particularly those seen in high-masking or high-functioning individuals. Critics argue that Elaine Aron selectively highlighted less clinical traits to define HSP, potentially contributing to a sense of erasure of autism in those who fit this profile. No content in this article is intended to invalidate or erase any person’s sense of identity or diagnosis. The author of this piece identifies as HSP and acknowledges the complexity of this discussion. If you’d like to contribute to this discussion, share your opinions on our social media channels found at the top of our homepage and on our Linktree profile.