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15 Memes That Nail What It's Like to Have Dysautonomia

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Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for medical conditions in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) malfunctions. Since the ANS controls automatic bodily functions such as heart rate or temperature regulation, those with a form of dysautonomia may experience symptoms such as lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates or inability to regulate temperature. Some of the more common types of dysautonomia are postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), neurocardiogenic syncope and multiple system atrophy.

Living with dysautonomia can be challenging both physically and emotionally, and can affect a person’s ability to do everyday tasks – even activities most people don’t give a second thought to, like taking a shower or even just standing up. But sometimes, humor can be a powerful coping mechanism for dealing with all the ridiculous symptoms and side effects dysautonomia throws your way. If laughter helps you cope, you may enjoy the following memes.

1. When you can’t stand up without getting a massive head rush:

when you stand up way too fast and you get so lightheaded u start floatin thru space and time
via @austyntatiouses Twitter

2. When there’s more salt on your plate than food:

dysautonomia - the struggle is real. photo of french fries buried in salt
via Dysautonomia Support Network Facebook

3. When you try to manage your symptoms but they beat you to the punch:

gets up to get gatorade, passes out
via @chicinpinkplanner Instagram

4. When you’re trying to keep the sweating under control:

three images of a man with progressively more arms wiping sweat away from his face with towels
via @Kipper_snax Twitter

5. When you try to explain what dysautonomia involves:

listing your symptoms, with spongebob holding long piece of paper with countless bullets
via @dysautonomiaadventures Instagram

6. When standing up sends you right back down:

attempting to stay upright and coherent was too exhausting... so I'll be down here if you need me
via @JustJettingThru Twitter

7. When other people just don’t get it:

"you can't have that condition, you're too young!" if only it had asked for ID...
via Dysautonomia Support Network Facebook

8. When dysautonomia makes exercise difficult:

via @anniechristine3 Twitter

9. When your heart is always racing:

I can't tell if I like you... or if it's just tachycardia
via @potsiespoons Tumblr

10. When people are surprised that you’re still battling the same symptoms:

person: you're still sick?? me: I have a chronic illness. chronically ill am I. my illness is chronic. I experience my illness in a chronic fashion. chronically, I will experience illness. chronic illness.
via @supportforspoonies Instagram

11. When you’re trying to explain dysautonomia (and any comorbidities) to a new doctor:

what you think you look like when talking to the doctor vs. what you actually look like
via @go-to-rakuen Tumblr

12. When you have to add salt to everything:

salt bae sprinkling salt
via @nusr_et Instagram

13. When you get a head rush and have to do a quick handstand:

trying to get blood to your head before you pass out like
via Dysautonomia Support Network Facebook

14. When you doctors brush off your symptoms as “just anxiety“:

tell me it's anxiety one more time
via www.stoppotsvirginia.blogspot.com

15. When poor circulation means your hands double as ice packs:

when your hands are always freezing (photo of elsa from frozen with icy hands)
via @dysautonomia-survival-guide Tumblr
Originally published: February 15, 2018
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