In one embodiment, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is described. The WCD includes a support structure worn by a patient. A processor is coupled to the support structure. The WCD also includes a discharge circuit coupled to an energy storage module, the discharge circuit configured to discharge the stored electrical charge through a body of the patient. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator also includes a user interface housing at least one sensor and responsive to changes in device orientation. The processor is configured to detect a motion at the user interface and determine when the motion is patient-activated. When the motion is patient-activated, the processor determines a direction of rotation. The processor determines an orientation of a display at the user interface based on the direction of rotation and orients the display at the user interface to appear upright to the patient.