View a past chat on this topic here: May 14, 2023.

Dysautonomia is the medical word that refers to problems in someone’s autonomic nervous system – that means the things our body does on its own without us needing to think about them, such as breath and heartbeat. #AutChat

There are many different kinds of dysautonomia. One kind that is becoming more well-known recently, due to Long COVID, is called POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). For example, people with POTS may experience dizziness or other distressing symptoms when they are standing upright, and feel better when laying down. #AutChat

There is some evidence as well as anecdotal community data that dysautonomia is more common in autistic people. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8756818/ reports one scientific study examining that link if you’d like to read more. #AutChat

Q1: Do you experience any form of dysautonomia? When did it start? Share as much or as little as you’d like. #AutChat

Q2: Do you have a formal diagnosis for your dysautonomia? Have you tried to get one? Why or why not? #AutChat

Q3: What do you do to cope with your dysautonomia? What helps? What doesn’t help? #AutChat

Q4: What else do you wish you knew about dysautonomia? What else do you wish others understood? #AutChat