Dealing with POTS and Anxiety the same time

Living with POTS is already a rollercoaster, but when anxiety gets thrown into the mix, it can feel completely overwhelming. Some days, just standing up feels like running a marathon, and the constant dizziness and fatigue make it hard not to stress about when the next symptom flare will hit. I’ve noticed that staying really hydrated, adding more salt to my diet, and wearing compression socks help with the physical side of things. Pacing myself throughout the day and avoiding standing for too long have also been key. But the anxiety? That’s been a tougher battle.

I’ve tried deep breathing, grounding techniques, and cutting back on caffeine, which have helped a little. On better days, slow, low-impact exercise like stretching or short walks seems to calm my nervous system. I’ve read that things like CBT, meditation, and even certain medications can be really effective, but it’s definitely a process of trial and error. Some people say regulating their nervous system with vagus nerve exercises or therapy has made a huge difference too.

If you deal with both POTS and anxiety, what’s actually helped you the most? I’d love to hear what’s worked (or what hasn’t) so we can all learn from each other!