What Is Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system – the system that controls automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure. When someone with POTS moves from lying down to standing, their heart rate increases significantly, often leading to uncomfortable symptoms.
While it is not life-threatening, POTS can be very uncomfortable and have a meaningful impact on daily life, making it harder to stay active, attend school or work, and maintain regular routines.
Common Postural Tachycardia Syndrome Symptoms
People with POTS may experience a range of symptoms, especially when upright:
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) upon standing
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or feeling faint (presyncope)
- Fatigue or low energy, even after rest
- Brain fog (difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly)
- Symptoms triggered or worsened by heat, dehydration, stress, or prolonged standing
Living with POTS often requires careful planning – thinking ahead about hydration, activity levels, and how long you’ll be standing. Symptoms can feel unpredictable, which may lead to frustration or anxiety about when they might appear. Many people begin to avoid certain situations, closely monitor their body, or feel on edge about symptom flare-ups.
Over time, this cycle of anticipation and stress can intensify symptoms through the mind-body connection, making daily life feel more limiting.
How a Health Psychologist Can Help
Health psychology can play an important role in managing POTS by addressing the mind-body connection that influences symptom experience. Using evidence-based approaches, treatment helps reduce stress-related symptom flares, shift patterns of worry or avoidance, and support patients in building confidence with daily activities- leading to improved functioning and quality of life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients understand and change the patterns that can worsen POTS symptoms. CBT for POTS focuses on:
- Reducing anxiety and fear related to dizziness, fainting, or rapid heart rate (e.g., fear of passing out in public)
- Identifying and reframing thoughts that amplify symptoms (e.g., “I’m not safe to stand” or “Something is seriously wrong”)
- Decreasing hypervigilance to body sensations like heart rate, lightheadedness, or fatigue
- Managing stress and emotional triggers that can worsen autonomic dysregulation
- Supporting gradual reconditioning and tolerance for upright posture (standing, walking) at a safe pace
- Reducing avoidance of activities such as school, exercise, or social outings when medically appropriate
- Building pacing strategies to balance activity and rest without triggering flare-ups
- Strengthening confidence in the body’s ability to recover from symptoms
CBT helps retrain how the brain interprets and responds to signals from the body – leading to meaningful, lasting symptom relief.
Hypnotherapy for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Hypnotherapy is a supportive treatment for POTS. It uses guided imagery and focused attention to help regulate the nervous system and reduce symptom intensity by:
- Promoting a calmer, more balanced autonomic (nervous system) response
- Supporting more stable heart rate and blood pressure responses to position changes
- Reducing sensitivity to internal body sensations like dizziness or palpitations
- Decreasing the frequency and severity of stress-related symptom flare-ups
- Improving confidence in upright activities like standing, walking, or being in public settings
This therapy helps the nervous system settle into a more regulated and balanced state, allowing the body to function more smoothly. Hypnotherapy can be helpful for children, adolescents, and adults with POTS.
A Compassionate, Collaborative Path Forward
POTS is a real and often challenging condition that can affect many areas of life. With the right support, it is possible to better understand your symptoms, regain a sense of control, and gradually return to meaningful activities. A mind-body approach can help you navigate both the physical and emotional aspects of the condition with greater confidence and stability.
If you or your child are living with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), evidence-based psychological care may be a powerful next step toward relief.
Appointments are available nationwide via telehealth. Contact us or request a free 15-minute initial phone consultation to learn how treatment can help you move forward with confidence.