PoTS UK responds to The Times article on ‘Why Are Young Women Using Walking Sticks?’

We were extremely disappointed to read an article by Kathleen Stock, published in The Times on 5th August 2026, titled Why Are Young Women Using Walking Sticks?

The article risks reinforcing harmful misconceptions about people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), a real, diagnosable and debilitating condition affecting the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system.

Our response to the editor:

We were extremely disappointed to read the article written by Kathleen Stock published by The Times on 5th August, 2026.

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is an abnormality of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system, and is a real, debilitating and life-altering health condition. PoTS is not a social media or Gen Z trend, or anxiety, or neuroticism ; it is a real, diagnosable condition, with demonstrable pathology and real symptoms when affected people stand up that can include palpitations, chest pain, headaches, dizziness, brain fog, vomiting and fainting. It is therefore reasonable to expect them to require walking aids or wheelchairs.

PoTS was first characterised and defined in 1993 (but is likely synonymous with earlier conditions such as ‘The Soldier’s Heart’, a term coined by Sir James Mackenzie in 1916).

PoTS has a clear diagnostic criteria, predominantly impacts females aged 15-50 but can affect males and people of any age. Health related quality of life has been shown to be worse than that found in HIV, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and COPD.

It takes on average 7 years for people to be diagnosed with PoTS – with many being dismissed as “anxious” before receiving a diagnosis, treatment and support. People with such invisible disabilities are an easy target for sensationalist journalists, and this further stigmatises those who have already been challenged by medical gaslighting, difficulty accessing healthcare, and ableism in society.

Disability charity Scope recently found that 1 in 3 disabled people feel that there is still a significant disability prejudice in Britain today – the internet can be an extremely useful tool for challenging that prejudice, for raising awareness of lesser-known health conditions, and for sharing tools that help such as walking aids.

Awareness of PoTS and its common comorbidities (such as MCAS and Hypermobility) has increased over the last few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. High-profile people speaking about their experiences have also helped – such as MP Cat Smith, and Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky.

More information about PoTS, the diagnostic criteria and support can be found on the PoTS UK website: https://www.potsuk.org/

We await their response!