Invisible disability

Invisible disability refers to disabilities that are not immediately apparent. They are called "invisible" because the people who have them do not appear to be disabled when viewed by others. Invisible disabilities can include chronic illnesses such as renal failure, diabetes, and sleep disorders if those diseases significantly impair normal activities of daily living.

Definition

An invisible disability is a disability that is not immediately apparent. Some people with visual or auditory disabilities who do not wear glasses or hearing aids, or discreet hearing aids, may not be obviously disabled. Some people who have vision loss may wear contacts. A sitting disability is another category of invisible impairments; sitting problems are usually caused by chronic back pain. Those with joint problems or chronic pain may not use mobility aids on some days, or at all. Most people with Rheumatoid arthritis meet the criteria of invisible disability.

Types of Invisible Disabilities

There are numerous types of invisible disabilities, they include but are not limited to:

• Chronic pain, a variety of conditions may cause chronic pain. A few of those reasons may be back problems, bone disease, physical injuries, and any number of other reasons. Chronic pain may not be noticeable to people who do not understand the victim's specific medical condition.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are conditions that can prevent a person from conducting their daily life activities. These conditions can be completely debilitating and can cause the victim to be bedridden for days, and sometimes weeks.
• Mental illness is a broad category that includes many conditions. Some of the more common conditions that fall under this category include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD.

Challenges

People with invisible disabilities can often face challenges in the form of discrimination or misunderstandings from others. Because their disability is not immediately apparent, they may be accused of faking or imagining their disabilities. These challenges can lead to stress, frustration, and feelings of isolation.

See Also

• Disability
• Chronic illness
• Mental health

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