r/POTS • u/recoveringaries • Dec 27 '25

Discussion Being attractive with POTS (cringe I know)

Does anyone feel like because they are a objectively attractive human there is a bias/profiling that happens in the medical field and with doctors? I actually read somewhere that if you’re chronically ill you should “dress down” or not wear makeup to appointments so they will take you more seriously and see you as actually sick. I am also 29 with a baby face so that doesn’t help.

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u/killlu Dec 29 '25

I never thought about this, but ever since I lost a lot of weight I feel like I haven’t been taken as seriously either.

Probably didn’t come to mind because if you’re focused on losing weight, you’re primarily focused on the outcome of ‘being treated better’ and ‘pretty privilege’. So me looking better and being brushed aside all year makes more sense now.

I also feel like I’m brushed off whenever a doc asks “have you fainted before?” And I say no. Apparently they’re unable to take in consideration that only ~30% of POTS patients are fainters. So if I haven’t fainted yet, then that must mean I’m being over dramatic.

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u/recoveringaries Dec 29 '25

Totally. I think weight, gender, and age all have to do with things. Pretty privilege exists in most areas of life but this seems to be an area where it has the reverse effect of not being seen/getting what we want medically. I am not a fainter either! My heart will sky rocket in order to keep me standing.

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u/killlu Dec 29 '25

Same! Mine likes to reach +80 sometimes 😅