Living with Dysautonomia in College

Hey y’all!

Today’s blog post is a little less bubbly and more personal. For those who don’t know, I have a condition called POTS, a form of dysautonomia that has taken over a big part of my life. October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month, which feels especially meaningful this year. This semester has been one of the hardest I’ve had in college. I pass out often, and my symptoms have been more intense than usual.

Nausea is constant, and when I sit for too long, blood pools in my legs, causing itching and discomfort. A lot of this happens in class. Last Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I passed out in almost every course.

The support from my professors and classmates has meant everything. One professor in particular has been there each time I’ve come to, making sure I had water, snacks and whatever else I needed before I kept going. My classmates have checked in, encouraged me and helped me catch up when I’ve fallen behind. Their kindness reminded me I’m not going through this alone.

Living with an invisible illness isn’t easy. I don’t want to be seen as lazy, but I know symptoms can sometimes look that way. Some days my heart rate won’t drop below 150 beats per minute, and I can’t stand on my own. Because most of this struggle isn’t visible, awareness is so important. Dysautonomia affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls things like heart rate, blood pressure and digestion.

Awareness not only helps others understand what life with this condition is like, but it also builds support, encourages research and helps those of us living with it feel less alone. It’s also a reminder that facing challenges like this takes strength, even when it doesn’t look like it from the outside.

This semester has been tough, but the love and support around me have been a huge source of strength. I’m so grateful for the patience and understanding I’ve received, and I’m hopeful for a better, less symptomatic semester ahead.

Thank you for taking the time to read my more serious post today. 

That’s all for now!

 Xoxo, Mia Ann