Christina Applegate’s daughter, Sadie, recently shared her diagnosis of POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, on her mother’s podcast. Sadie, 13, discussed her symptoms, including dizziness, weakness, and the feeling of passing out when standing up. She revealed that she had been dealing with these symptoms for a long time but was often dismissed when seeking help.
POTS is a chronic disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system and blood circulation. People with POTS experience a rapid increase in heart rate upon standing, along with symptoms like lightheadedness, fatigue, headache, and fainting. Sadie’s struggles resonated with Applegate, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021. She expressed her sadness for her daughter’s condition and regret for not recognizing the severity of her symptoms earlier.
Sadie recalled being disregarded by school nurses and teachers who attributed her symptoms to anxiety. She felt physically and emotionally hurt by the lack of understanding and support she received. Applegate admitted to being dismissive of Sadie’s symptoms initially due to her own ignorance about how different diseases can manifest physically. She acknowledged the impact of stress and external pressures on exacerbating symptoms, something she too had experienced with her MS.
Despite the challenges, Sadie found a silver lining in her diagnosis by gaining empathy for her mother’s struggles with chronic illness. She mentioned being able to better understand and relate to her mom’s symptoms, like pain and tremors, which she might not have comprehended without her own health issues. Applegate acknowledged the newfound connection between them and expressed regret for not recognizing the signs earlier, emphasizing the importance of believing and supporting loved ones with invisible illnesses. The shared experience has brought them closer and deepened their bond.
The episode shed light on the impact of chronic illness on families and the importance of validating and addressing symptoms, particularly in young individuals like Sadie. Applegate and Sadie’s story serves as a reminder to listen to and believe those experiencing health challenges, even when symptoms may not be visible externally. They highlighted the need for increased awareness and understanding of conditions like POTS and MS to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for individuals facing these battles. The mother-daughter duo’s journey towards acceptance and empathy serves as a powerful example of resilience and love in the face of adversity.
