TL;DR: POTS is very often dismissed, with people told it is "just anxiety," deconditioning, or not a real diagnosis at all, sometimes even by medical staff. If this is happening to you, it is not because your symptoms are imagined. POTS is real and measurable. You can push for the right testing (like a tilt-table or standing test), keep records, ask for referral to a specialist, and refuse to give up. Being believed can take persistence, but your racing heart on standing is physical and provable.
"Why does this illness sound so fake?" and "the nurse kept trying to deny I have POTS" are real, heavily upvoted experiences from the community. Being doubted is one of the most painful parts of POTS. Here is how to cope and get taken seriously, based on Dysautonomia International and standard guidance.
It is not in your head
POTS is a measurable disorder of the autonomic nervous system, defined by a specific, objective heart-rate rise on standing. The fact that you can look fine, or that you also feel anxious (which is understandable when your heart keeps racing), does not make it imaginary. Hold onto that when someone makes you doubt yourself.
Why POTS gets dismissed so often
A few reasons, none your fault. POTS is invisible, its symptoms overlap with anxiety, it was under-taught for years, and the "it's just deconditioning" myth is still common. Understanding why dismissal happens will not fix it, but it can stop you absorbing the blame.
It can actually be measured
Unlike some invisible conditions, POTS has objective tests. A tilt-table test, or a simpler active stand test (measuring heart rate lying down and after standing), can demonstrate the abnormal heart-rate rise that defines it. If you are being dismissed, asking specifically about these tests can move the conversation from opinion to data.
Keep records, they are your evidence
Logging your heart rate (a basic fitness tracker or finger pulse oximeter can help) lying versus standing, along with your symptoms over time, gives you concrete evidence. Patterns and numbers on paper are far harder to wave away than a verbal description. Many people bring a symptom log to every appointment.
Ask for the right referral
If your current doctor will not help, it is reasonable to ask for referral to a cardiologist, neurologist or an autonomic or dysautonomia specialist who knows POTS. You are allowed a second opinion. A clinician who understands the condition changes everything.
Advocate without apologising
Bring your numbers and your questions written down. Describe the impact on your daily life plainly. Ask directly: could this be POTS, and can we do a stand or tilt-table test to check. Consider bringing someone for support. You are not being difficult; you are advocating for your own health.
Protect yourself emotionally
Repeated dismissal wears people down, and it is okay to find that hard. Lean on communities where "me too" replaces "are you sure," and talk to someone you trust if it is grinding you down. You deserve support while you fight to be heard.
While you keep pushing for answers, comfort still matters on the hard days. Our POTS comfort collection is here for the part no waiting room can give. Comfort, never a cure.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people think POTS isn't real?
Because it is invisible, overlaps with anxiety, was under-taught, and is clouded by myths like "it's just deconditioning." POTS is a real, measurable condition.
Is POTS just anxiety?
No. POTS is a physical autonomic disorder defined by an objective heart-rate rise on standing. Anxiety can coexist with it but does not cause the heart-rate response.
How is POTS proven or tested?
With a tilt-table test or an active stand test that measures the abnormal heart-rate increase on standing, giving objective evidence of the condition.
What do I do if my doctor won't take POTS seriously?
Keep heart-rate and symptom records, ask specifically for a stand or tilt-table test, request referral to a specialist, and seek a second opinion.
What kind of specialist diagnoses POTS?
Cardiologists, neurologists and autonomic or dysautonomia specialists most often diagnose and manage POTS.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose POTS. Sources: Dysautonomia International, NHS, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Written by the Soft Days team, a small brand built by a family that lives with chronic illness. Last updated June 2026.