Learning to Believe in Yourself When No One Else Does: Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

One of the hardest parts about living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) isn’t just the symptoms, it’s the constant doubt. The kind that comes from doctors who tell you it’s “just anxiety,” coaches who think you’re not trying hard enough, or even friends who don’t understand how you can look perfectly fine one minute and be on the ground the next.

At first, those doubts cut deep. They make you question your own strength, your reality, and your worth. You start wondering if maybe they’re right. Maybe you are just weak, or dramatic, or incapable of keeping up. And when your own body feels unpredictable, it’s easy to lose trust in yourself too.

But here’s the truth: no one else lives in your body. No one else feels what you feel, fights the same battles, or carries the same weight you do just to make it through a “normal” day. And at some point, you have to accept that other people’s doubts don’t define your story, you do.

For me, it took years to build that confidence. I had to learn how to stand tall (literally and figuratively) even when my body didn’t want to cooperate. I had to stop needing validation from others and start trusting my own experience. Every small victory, standing a little longer, running a little farther, getting stronger again when I was told I wouldn’t, helped me rebuild that belief in myself.

When you live with a condition like POTS, people might not always see your effort. They might only see the fall, not the fight. But your progress doesn’t need to be proven to anyone. It’s not about convincing the world you’re capable. It’s about reminding yourself that you are.

Confidence doesn’t come from being symptom-free or achieving some perfect version of health. It comes from showing up for yourself, over and over, even when no one’s watching. It comes from knowing that you can trust your body again, not because it’s flawless, but because you’ve learned how to listen to it, and how to lead with resilience instead of fear.

So if you’re in that place where you feel misunderstood, unseen, or doubted, keep going. Let their disbelief fuel you, not define you. The strength you’re building right now, quietly and persistently, is something most people will never understand. And one day, that strength will be louder than any doubt ever was.