The "Anxiety" Misdiagnosis: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Because POTS causes a racing heart, shortness of breath, and sweating, it mimics the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Millions of POTS patients—especially women—are told they have Anxiety, Panic Disorder, or ADHD. They are prescribed SSRIs or therapy for "stress," while their actual physiology is being ignored.

Here is the difference:

  • Anxiety: Starts in the mind (fear) and triggers the body.

  • POTS: Starts in the body (standing up) and triggers the mind.

I specialize in Hyperadrenergic POTS (Hyper-POTS). This is a specific subtype where the body dumps massive amounts of Norepinephrine (adrenaline) upon standing. This creates a chemical sensation of Terror or Rage that has nothing to do with your emotions. It is a biological event. I help you untangle the "Chemical Anxiety" from true emotional anxiety so you can stop gaslighting yourself.

The "Trifecta" Link

POTS rarely travels alone. If you have POTS, we will also screen for:

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): Stretchy veins lead to blood pooling.

  • MCAS: Histamine dumps can trigger tachycardia.

  • ME/CFS: The energy crash that follows the adrenaline spike.

I view POTS through the lens of the RCCX Theory—understanding that your high-voltage nervous system is prone to these autonomic glitches.

My Approach: Pacing & Nervous System Regulation

While Cardiologists treat the heart rate and blood pressure issues (Beta-blockers, Salt, Fluid), I treat the Life Impact

1. The Psychology of Pacing Pacing isn't just "resting." It is a rigorous discipline of energy management. We work together to map your "Energy Envelope." We identify the cognitive, physical, and emotional costs of your day, and we restructure your life to prevent the "Push-Crash" cycle.

2. Somatic Regulation We use tools to manually down-shift your nervous system from Sympathetic (Fight/Flight) to Parasympathetic (Rest/Digest).

  • Compression therapy

  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Vagal Toning Exercises

  • Breathwork for Dysautonomia: Learn how to use your own breath to switch from fight/flight into rest/digest.

  • Horizontal Therapy: Learning to live a full life while embracing that sometimes that means being horizontal a lot (Think accommodations such as lay down desk/workstation or chair where you can sit “criss cross applesauce” or a counterstool next to the stove so you can sit while chopping/cooking.

3. Grieving the "Vertical" Life POTS is an identity crisis. You may have been an athlete, a dancer, or a busy professional. We process the grief of losing your physical freedom, and we work to build a new identity that honors your current capacity without defining you by your limitations.

4. Baseline improvement: With appropriate medical and and lifestyle interventions, POTS symptoms can be well managed and it is even possible to increase your baseline over time. There is hope!

You are not lazy. You are not crazy. You are fighting gravity. And I am here to help you win.

Diagram showing how POTS affects the body: a person standing with blood vessels in the lower body constricting when standing, and a person sitting with blood vessels in the lower body dilated. Text explains effects of POTS and gravity on blood flow.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS)

Diagram illustrating postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome symptoms like dizziness, sweating, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pains, and heart palpitations, alongside treatment suggestions such as eating smaller meals, increasing fluid and salt intake, avoiding caffeine, and avoiding prolonged standing.

Poor Mans POTS Test:

Overview of different subtypes of POTS, including Neurogenic POTS characterized by decreased sympathetic innervation, hypovolemic POTS with low blood volume, and hyperadrenergic POTS with elevated norepinephrine levels, with explanations and icons for each subtype.