This is not a medical explanation of dysautonomia. It’s simply how it shows up in my day-to-day life and what tends to trigger it in my case.

What triggers it for me

One of the most common triggers for me is stress, especially when I’m very focused on something and don’t take breaks. For example, while programming: if I spend too many hours in a row in front of the computer (sometimes three hours without stopping is enough), I can start to feel unwell.

It can also happen in social situations, especially when there are many people talking at the same time, a lot of noise, or when I have to keep a conversation going for a long while.

Alcohol is another trigger. It doesn’t have to be much: sometimes a single beer is enough to make me dizzy. Because of that, if I drink, I usually pair it with water or electrolytes.

Standing for long periods of time also affects me. I remember this since I was a kid: for example, waiting in line for a roller coaster, being on my feet for too long would already trigger the discomfort.

What I do when it hits

When I start to feel it coming on, what helps me the most is lying down and lifting my legs. If I can, I also try to sleep.

I don’t always fall fully asleep. Sometimes I just close my eyes and stay still. Even if I don’t sleep, simply “shutting down” for a while and resting is usually enough for it to pass.

A quick note

Not everyone with dysautonomia has the same triggers, and not everyone benefits from the same things. This is just what works for me.