If you’ve ever wondered whether the quirks of your childhood—those odd injuries, that stretchy skin, the fatigue no one seemed to understand—were connected to something bigger, you’re not alone. Many people who now live with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) look back and realize the clues were there all along. In fact, when you line them up, you start to see a pattern. That’s why this piece lays out 23 Signs You Grew Up With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

This isn’t medical advice—it’s more like a mirror. You might see yourself in a few, or in all of them. And if you do, you’ll know that your experiences weren’t just “in your head.”

The 23 signs you grew up with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

You Were Always the “Flexible Kid”

Maybe you were the one teachers asked to show off the splits, or the kid who could bend your thumb all the way back. At the time, it was a party trick. Now, it looks more like hypermobility.

Your Ankles Sprained Way Too Easily

Friends tripped and got up fine. You tripped, and boom—swollen ankle, crutches, weeks of healing.

Bandaids Never Stayed Put

Cuts and scrapes seemed to take forever to close. Wounds popped open or healed with wide, thin scars.

You Were Constantly Tired

Not “I stayed up late” tired. Bone-deep exhaustion, even after a full night’s sleep.

Gym Class Was a Nightmare

While others were running laps, you were managing sore joints, random injuries, or that stabbing pain in your knees.

Bruises Came Out of Nowhere

One day your legs looked normal. The next, purple blotches like you’d walked into a table—but you hadn’t.

Your Stomach Was Always Acting Up

Nausea, bloating, constipation, weird food intolerances. Doctors sometimes brushed it off as “stress.”

Headaches Were a Constant Companion

Migraines, tension headaches, or those mysterious pressure headaches when you stood up too fast.

You Hated Sitting Still in Chairs

Not because you were restless, but because your hips ached, your back slouched, and the seat just didn’t “fit” your body.

Stretchy Skin Tricks

You could pinch and pull your skin farther than anyone else. At sleepovers, this was either hilarious or shocking to your friends.

Teachers Thought You Were Lazy

You asked out of gym class, struggled to keep up, or put your head down on the desk. Some teachers assumed it was lack of effort, not undiagnosed EDS fatigue.

Your Friends Healed Faster Than You

They broke a bone and were back in action in weeks. You had sprains that lingered for months.

Weird Noises From Your Joints

Pops, cracks, clunks—sometimes loud enough that people across the room noticed.

You Carried Pain in Silence

You didn’t want to be “dramatic.” So you kept going, even when your shoulders or knees screamed.

Physical Therapy Was a Regular Part of Life

By middle school or high school, you already knew what PT was and had been through a few rounds.

Allergies and Sensitivities Were Everywhere

Whether it was food, meds, or even skin reactions to lotions, your body seemed extra sensitive.

Friends Teased You for Being “Delicate”

If you got hurt often, the jokes weren’t far behind. “Bubble wrap kid,” “glass bones,” you name it.

You Always Needed Extra Pillows

Sleepovers? Trips? You packed more pillows than anyone else because lying flat was too painful.

Heat Made You Dizzy

Standing outside in the sun too long? Cue the lightheadedness or even fainting.

Doctors Didn’t Always Believe You

Some waved off your symptoms as anxiety, stress, or “growing pains.” It left you questioning your own reality.

You Couldn’t Keep Up With Sports Teams

Even if you tried, the constant injuries or exhaustion always pulled you back.

Your Body Felt Older Than Your Age

In high school, you already felt like you had “grandparent joints.”

Looking Back, It All Adds Up

At the time, these were scattered frustrations. Together, they form the story of growing up with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Why This Matters

For many, realizing these signs in hindsight is validating. It shows that the challenges weren’t weakness or clumsiness, but part of a bigger picture. Recognizing the 23 signs you grew up with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome doesn’t replace a medical diagnosis, but it gives language to lived experience.

And sometimes, that’s the first step toward better care and self-compassion.

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