User:Turner xx/sandbox

Cognitive effect on Elhers -Danlos syndrome
Over the years research has been made to see if HEDS could be connected to any other neuro developmental disorders. Some including ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), DCD (developmental co-ordination disorder) and ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Studies do prove that some adults with ADHD and HEDS (hypermobile elhers-danlos syndrome) had higher rates of JHs autonomic factors when tested (joint hypermobility syndrome) compared to adults without ADHD. Over the years research has been made to see if HEDS could be connected to any other neuro developmental disorders. Some including ADHD, DCD and ASD. Studies do prove that some adults with ADHD and HEDS had higher rates of JHs autonomic factors when tested (joint hypermobility syndrome) compared to adults without ADHD. Elhers- Danlos syndrome is a group of genetically and clinically connective tissue that affects the skin, muscle, ligaments, joints, and internal organs. Elhers- Danlos is also known as EDS, the syndrome can be connected to psychiatric disorders.

EDS and autism
Studies have been conducted to associate EDS with autistic disorders. Regarding a study by Akira Takei et al, she studied a case regarding a 17 -year- old boy who at a young age avoided touch and eye contact and had a dislike to loud noises. Growing up his intellectual development was not impaired however he did struggle to sit in lessons and was very withdrawn from other children. This is when the child was diagnosed within the autism spectrum and with EDS, several years later the boy was taken to hospital and with examination he had very flexible fingers and toes. His IQ level on the Wechsler intelligence scale all came back excellent. MRI and encephalography yielded results came back normal. Collagens in the brain is essential for development in connective tissues. And with the connective tissues within EDS being affected there is wonder whether this is the reason EDS and ASD are often connected due to the loss of elasticity and strength of collagen.

EDS and ADHD
ADHD is also a common connection linked with EDS. There have been many studies in recent years over EDS and ADHD, Eccles et al found that adults had a higher rate of JH and symptoms of dysfunctions compared to steady controls, such as balance and hypermobility.

EDS and DCD
DCD (developmental coordination disorder) is also linked to EDS with common symptoms such as joint hypermobility and pain, children with DCD will develop the same as children with EDS. Ghibellini et al suggested that this was due to the lack of proprioception in hypermobile children.

Anxiety and EDS
EDS is also believed to be connected to anxiety disorders. It was first suspected in 1988 as an observation rather than a psychological reasoning. However, over the years more and more research has been made on the subject. Patients of EDS often suffer from anxiety and depression due to pain; this can lead to negative and uncontrollable emotions.

EDS anxiety case study
A study was conducted in 2012 to see the brain structure and psychiatric symptoms in joint EDS and hypermobility. It was conducted in Germany. They tested to see whether anxiety can also be associated with abnormal reactivity. The test was conducted on 72 healthy volunteers using brain scans such as an MRI siemens avanto scanner. Brain volumes were quantified using VBM incorporating diffeomorphic registration. and they also tested using the [https://www.physio-pedia.com/Beighton_score#:~:text=The%20Beighton%20score%20is%20a%20popular%20screening%20technique,studies%20involving%20the%20recognition%20of%20hypermobility%20in%20populations. beighton scale] and [https://www.stephenporges.com/body-scales#:~:text=The%20Body%20Perception%20Questionnaire%20%28BPQ%29%20is%20a%20self-report,status%20of%20organs%20and%20tissues%20%28i.e.%2C%20afferent%20projections%29. porges brain questionnaire]

Results
The results showed that 36 scored 1 or more on the beighton group. And that was the hypermobile group. The Bilateral amygdala volume was greater. The group also scored more with its reactiveness between hypermobility and interoceptive sensitivity.

The results also showed that in the interior and partial lobe the hypermobile group shower regions of grey matter, showing a lack of emotion and attention, comparing to the non-hypermobile group. The study concluded that anxiety and depression levels in EDS patients were subsequently higher.

Chronic fatigue
Chronic fatigue is just one of Elhers- Danlos syndrome's symptoms.it connects to sleep disorders and chronic pain. which is again linked to EDS. Fatigue can be disabling and associated to muscle weakness. Rest does nothing to help or reducing the amount of activity the patient does. This fatigue can then lead to further symptoms such as lack of concentration, headaches, and sleep disorders. all of which are also linked as EDS symptoms as well. Fatigue and lack of concentration can be mixed to what can be known as brain fog.

Brain fog is understood to be described as forgetfulness, Haziness, and confusion. When investigated it is seen to be a physiological effect of chronic orthostatic intolerance, that decreases blood flow. Studies also show that through FMRI scans individuals need more cortical and subcortical activation of the brain to be able to complete mental tasks. This proves that 'brain fog'. A symptom said by many EDS patients that affects them developmentally, through neurocognitive testing shows that patients struggling with chronic fatigue have issues processing information, issues in keeping attention and have troubles concentrating. Again, showing a cognitive perspective of EDS.

Chronic pain and EDS
Chronic pain is yet another symptom of EDS. Chronic pain can affect a patient in many ways especially cognitively. Not only can it affect the patient's mobility and pain management, but it can also change the way a person thinks. including their information processing, attention, and memory

One person who tried to change the way patients viewed and coped with their pain was psychiatrist Aaron Beck. He created the Beck's anxiety inventory. Aaron Beck believed that there was a therapeutic way to look at pain. And a therapeutic way into cognitive behaviour.  he quoted:

"if beliefs do not change, there is no improvement. If beliefs change, symptoms change. Beliefs function as little operational units"

Beck believed that a person's thoughts and beliefs could shape our behaviour. And that is what then constructs our actions, he always tried to get his patients to look at the positive views rather than the negative. Therefore by positively looking and thinking at pain it takes a patients mind off how bad it is and teaches them how to cope. Through cognitive behavioural therapy.