From the Vault: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue, POTS and much more with Vanessa

Vanessa, who describes about ten years of TMS symptoms, developed severe post-viral illness after COVID in 2020 — including POTS, erased sleep, panic attacks, derealization lasting two and a half years, and roughly 55 symptoms by the end of 2023. After hitting a low point, she began journaling, worked with a stress-illness-trained therapist, and gradually re-engaged with activities she feared, noticing flares shorten and gaps between them lengthen. By the end of 2024 she reports being largely chronic symptom free, working full time, traveling, and living without limitations, though she notes her nervous system remains somewhat sensitive. Her story illustrates that severe, multi-symptom conditions can improve substantially through mind-body work.

Originally shared on The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW