Ep. 25: POTS - The Hidden Health Condition Medicine Missed

Send us Fan MailKey Takeaways1. POTS is real, physiological, and common Up to one million Australians may be living with it right now. It is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system — not anxiety, not stress, not "in your head."2. Diagnosis takes far too long On average, patients see 5.2 doctors over up to seven years before receiving a diagnosis. Almost two-thirds are initially told their symptoms are anxiety-related. Basic heart rate testing should happen first.3. It overwhelmingly affects women — and there's a biological reason Hormonal transitions — puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause — directly affect autonomic nervous system regulation. This is not random. It is specific and physiological.4. There are five recognised subtypes Neuropathic, hypovolemic, hyperadrenergic, hypermobility-related, and immune-related. Treatment works best when the subtype is identified.5. Treatment exists — and lifestyle comes first Fluid and salt intake, compression garments, graded exercise, and physical countermeasures are all evidence-based first-line strategies. Medications including propranolol, midodrine, ivabradine, and pyridostigmine (pir-id-oh-STIG-meen) are used when needed.7. Your nervous system is not broken — it's dysregulated Practical tools like slow breathing, vagus nerve stimulation, cold water, and nervous system safety work are legitimate, research-supported complements to physical treatment.8. The system is starting to move — but not fast enough No approved medication, no national guideline, no formal treatment pathway in Australia yet. Advocacy, awareness, and community voices are what drive change.If you think you might have POTS: Ask your GP for a simple heart rate test lying down versus standing. A rise of 30 or more beats per minute within ten minutes of standing, alongside symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, meets diagnostic criteria. You do not need a specialist referral to begin this conversation.Resources to learn more:Australian POTS Foundation: australianpots.org.auDysautonomia International: dysautonomiainternational.orgFor more information on my nervous system regulation, skills, education and support group can be found on my website www.rewiredpsychology.com.au or emailing [email protected] you for listening to A Bigger Life Podcast.  If you enjoy this episode please SUBSCRIBE to our show to stay informed. You are also keenly invited to give us a rating as well.  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nichimorrin/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nichimorrin/ To purchase Nichi's book Girl, Get out of the Freaking Car!  - Please contact us via social media                                                                                                        Psychology services - www.rewiredpsychology.com.auPrevious Intro and Outro music: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican; and Andrii Poradovskyi; and levgen Poltavskyi from Pixabay.  Current music:  Music by Vlad Krotov  from Pixabay.  Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and intended for educational purposes only.  It is not deemed as psychological treatment and does not replace the advice from your health professional or need for psychological treatment.