Relationships With Parents

When you have an illness like POTS and are trying to get your parents to understand what you need and are going through, it can be difficult if they haven’t heard of POTS before, or don’t fully believe what you are experiencing. Often this can be related to the invisible nature of so many of the symptoms. This can take an added toll on the relationship that can be beneficial and important when it is supportive and healthy. Although we can’t provide direct advice, the tips listed below can be used as a guide that you can personalize to meet your needs, perhaps when working with a trained mental health professional like a licensed counselor.

1.) Consider making a list that will help you organize your thoughts before talking to them.

2.) Consider planning a time that allows you to talk with your parent(s) uninterrupted, with their full attention.

3.) Consider sharing your symptom tracker with them and what you have been noticing about your body.

4.) Consider talking to them about what you are most concerned about, why you are concerned, and why you need more support.

5.) Consider sharing with them how much they mean to you and why their support would mean so much to you.

6.) Consider talking to them about how you understand it can be hard for others to see what you are going through, making it hard to believe, but that them believing you would make your journey far less painful and difficult.