Rebecca Yarros’ Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes Inspired Her ‘Fourth Wing’ Character

In Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling book Fourth Wing, the main character Violet has a chronic illness that causes her entire body to be in pain. It’s never named, but her symptoms mirror that of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), disorders that cause fragile bones, discolations, chronic pain and dizziness. The 45-year-old author herself has that illness, and has been vocal about incorporating it into her bestselling book. Below, we share everything we know thus far about Yarros’ health, including the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes symptoms you need to know and treatment options that can help.

What is Ehlers-Danlos syndromes? Symptoms to watch for

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes is a group of rare genetic connective tissue disorders that cause joints to move beyond their normal range. EDS can also cause delicate or stretchy skin and can oftentimes affect one’s organs and blood vessels.

“Many people with EDS have joint instability, and they typically have an excess of movement in their joints,” confirms Blen Tesfu, MD, physician and medical advisor at Welzo. “Their skin is often very fragile, prone to bruising easily and takes longer than average to heal.”

The Mayo Clinic reports that EDS can also cause symptoms such as:

• Fragile skin
• Stretchy skin
• Joint hypermobility, which can lead to joint pain
• Slow wound healing
• Easy bruising

Symptoms can also vary depending on the type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome you have. For example, the most common type of EDS is hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which can cause hyperflexible joints and frequent joint dislocations. But a rare type of EDS known as vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may cause frequent bruising, extremely thin skin and even sudden lung collapse.

A look at Rebecca Yarros’ EDS journey

Yarros was diagnosed with EDS early on in her career. Her four sons have also been diagnosed with the condition. “We bend too far, heal too slowly, snap our bones too easily and are prone to dislocating our joints,” she revealed on Instagram in 2024. “Our skin is soft, and hyper elastic, but also fragile. We suffer from chronic fatigue and pain. A lot of pain.”

“We hyperextend…everything. Elbows, knees, fingers, all of it,” she continued. “We spend a lot of time with ortho docs.”

Because of that, Yarros decided to pass that condition onto her Fourth Wing character Violet, who is known for never letting it deter her from dragon riding.

“When Fourth Wing first came out, I had to laugh because there are so many people who are like, ‘She’s so weak and she should die,’ I’m like, ‘What?’ Then people who had chronic illness spotted it immediately,” Yarros said on Jenna Bush Hager’s podcast Open Book When Jenna in March 2025. “It mirrored real life, how the people with chronic illness see it in each other and see the accommodations someone needs and how to make them comfortable and help them. Sometimes, people who don’t have it don’t see it… it’s been really comforting to see people feel represented.”

“I’ve seen the way it’s represented [other places],” she continued. “We look like we’re perfectly healthy, but our joints, our bones, are not.”

What causes Ehlers-Danlos syndromes?

EDS is caused by variants in specific genes that disrupt the way the body produces collagens and related proteins. According to the EDS Society, the condition affects less than 1 in 3,100 to 5,000 people, making it rare. The disorders are often genetic, meaning family history plays a big role in your risk of developing EDS.

“When someone has a first-degree or second-degree relative—a parent—who suffers from EDS, their chances of suffering from EDS are greater than those of an average person,” says Dr. Tesfu. “While there are no lifestyle factors that can lead to EDS, people experiencing abnormal flexibility in joints or repeated injuries to joints may want to seek medical evaluation.”

How Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are treated

As with most chronic conditions, there is no official cure for EDS. Dr. Tesfu does note that “Physiotherapy is used to strengthen adjacent muscle groups, which helps provide joint stability and decrease the chance of an injury.”

Dr. Tesfu also says that swimming or low-impact exercise can also help people dealing with EDS symptoms.

“The best way to manage this condition is to build up a routine in which you perform all of your day-to-day functions by controlling how fast and far you move,” she explains. “You will likely find that if you pace yourself and pay attention to your posture, and also use supportive chairs and other equipment, it will be easier for you to complete everyday activities. Using heat or cold treatments for discomfort is another option. Finally, keeping your body hydrated and eating foods that are good for your connective tissues will provide some relief.”

Ready for more?Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

Copyright 2026 A360 Media

This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM.