Confronting Invisible Disabilities - Life’s Unseen Challenges
Life can be quite challenging. What more if you’re confronting invisible disabilities. Unravel their complexities. Let’s break the silence surrounding them.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuSep 07, 202429K Shares604.5K Views
Every day there are people across the world confronting invisible disabilities, with the rest of the “normal” population never noticing it.
In a world that often places a spotlight on visible challenges and differences, there exists a spectrum of conditions that elude the discerning eye yet profoundly impact individuals’ daily lives.
There are challenges faced by those whose battles are concealed beneath the surface.
Invisible disabilities encompass a diverse spectrum of conditions all of which present unique hurdles that may go unnoticed by the casual observer.
Discover the complexities of confronting invisible disabilities and the strength exhibited by individuals who navigate a more challenging world.
What Does Invisible Disability Mean?
First and foremost, let’s explore first what a disability means when we’re talking about human disabilities.
When referring to an individual, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 defines “disability” as:
- “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major lifeactivities of such individual;
- a record of such an impairment; or
- being regarded as having such an impairment.”
According to this public law, “major life activities” involve:
- taking care of one’s self
- doing manual chores or tasks
They also refer (but not limited) to the following:
| seeing | speaking |
| hearing | breathing |
| eating | learning |
| sleeping | learning |
| walking | concentrating |
| standing | thinking |
| lifting | communicating |
| bending | working |
In addition, when we say a major life activity, we talk about how “a major bodily function” operates in relation to:
- neurological functions
- normal cell growth
- the immune system
It likewise pertains to the functions of the:
| brain | respiratory |
| bladder | circulatory |
| bowel | endocrine |
| digestive | reproductive |
The word “impairment” is also mentioned in the said definition.
In the context of health, the term “impairment” refers to a loss, deviation from, or abnormality in body structure or physiological (e.g., circulation, digestion, respiration) function.
It can affect an individual’s physical or mental healthand may result in limitations in their ability to perform activities.
Impairments can be temporary (or “transitory,” the term used in the said law) or permanent, and they can vary in severity.
Based on the said law, the extent of “a transitory (temporary) impairment” is six months or less.
An invisible disability refers to a condition or impairment that isn’t immediately apparent or visible to others.
Invisible disabilities may not be readily evident to observers and can affect various aspects of a person’s life, including:
- physical
- cognitive
- sensory
- mental health
In 2018, Emily Torchiana, an award-winning mental health advocate and speaker, founded The Invisible Illnesses, a nonprofit organization aiming to spread awareness about invisible disabilities.
That same year, when interviewed by Talkspace, a New York-based online therapycompany, Torchiana said:
“„Our slogan is ‘Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.’ You can’t see depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses physically, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.- Emily Torchiana
She later founded Lost Got Found, a site dedicated to people sharing their experiences and struggles in confronting invisible disabilities.
Visible Disabilities VS. Invisible Disabilities
Unlike visible disabilities with visible signs - using a wheelchair, wearing a hearing aid, having a guide dog - invisible disabilities may not have obvious external markers.
No one will expect those in a wheelchair to “reach the top shelf” because people know they can’t.
That’s initially what Natasha Tracy, a multi-awarded writer, author, and podcast host, told Talkspace in 2018 to drive her point about the basic difference between visible and invisible disabilities.
Then she added:
“„But with an invisible illness, there are many things we can’t do and yet society always expects us to do them anyway. I can’t reach the top shelf but people don’t see it so they don’t get it.- Natasha Tracy
When it comes to confronting invisible disabilities, it can indeed be tough. It can even get tougher in a work environment.
In the workplace, according to an October 2023 Forbes article, it’s important for workers to inform the company about their invisible disabilities, particularly for accommodation-related concerns.
Given that invisible disabilities get unnoticed most of the time, the company may overlook the needs of those workers who have them.
In a September 2020 article published by Access Living, Ashley Eisenmenger, a blind disability inclusion training specialist, pointed out that invisible disabilities “can ebb and flow.”
Meaning, days will pass without the person with invisible disability showing or feeling any sign of pain or trouble (e.g., in termsof mobility).
Then one day, that person has trouble communicating with others or a body part becomes swollen.
In short, as Eisenmenger puts it, there are “good” days, there are “bad” days.
Zachary Phillips, a mental health advocate and mindset coach, shared to Talkspace how people would tell her that she’s just “fine yesterday” then suddenly, she’s not OK.
The start of confronting invisible disabilities can happen in any given day at home and in the workplace.
Percentage Of Invisible Disabilities
According to a Forbes article published in September 2020, an estimated 42 million Americans deal with a disability.
An alarming 96 percent of them are confronting invisible disabilities.
The New York-based non-profit think tank Coqual, when it’s still operating as Center for Talent Innovation (CTI), conducted a study in 2017.
It was learned that 62 percent of U.S. white-collar workers had invisible disabilities.
In the U.K., based on the site of the U.K. Parliament, an estimated 70 percent to 80 percent of disabilities there fall under the category of invisible disabilities.
In Australia, 4.4 million people have disabilities, according to a 2021 newsarticle by the University of Sydney.
How many of them are confronting invisible disabilities? An estimated 90 percent.
Examples Of Invisible Disabilities
Emily Torchiana and Natasha Tracy, the ones interviewed by Talkspace, have been confronting invisible disabilities for several years now.
Per MultiplyingGood.org, Torchiana, the recipient of the 2017 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting Local Communities, has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Tracy’s ordeal with bipolar disorder and depression led her to write the e-book Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar (2016).
According to an article by John Foy & Associates, an Atlanta-based personal injury law firm, invisible disabilities can be categorized into four:
A. Mental Health Conditions
| attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) | obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) |
| borderline personality disorder (BPD) | PTSD |
| generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) | social anxiety disorder |
B. Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseasesare a broad category of disorders in which the immune system, which normally protects the body against harmful substances (e.g., bacteria and viruses), mistakenly attacks its own cells and tissues.
| celiac disease | inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) |
| Graves’ disease | rheumatoid arthritis (RA) |
| Guillain-Barre syndrome | ulcerative colitis |
In a healthy immune system, the body can differentiate between its own cells and foreign invaders.
However, in autoimmune diseases, this ability breaks down, leading to an immune response against the body’s own tissues.
C. Chronic Pain and Fatigue Disorders
- chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS)
- complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
D. Neurological Disorders
The name “neurological disorders” is derived from the term “neurology,” which is the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system:
- brain
- spinal cord
- peripheral nerves
| AIDS and HIV* | Huntington’s disease (HD) |
| Fabry disease | narcolepsy |
| hypersomnia | restless legs syndrome (RLS) |
*Per the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the neurological complications of AIDS and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) include:
- can’t concentrate
- can’t control one’s movement
- mood disorders
Imagine, you’re at work and your concentration’s all messed up, or your anxiety slowly eats you up from the inside? Confronting invisible disabilities is not a walk in the park.
Most Common Invisible Disabilities
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), below are some of the most common mental health conditions (figures as of 2019):
| Invisible Disability (mental health condition) | Number of People Affected |
| anxiety disorders | 301 million |
| depression | 280 million |
| bipolar disorder | 40 million |
| conduct-dissocial disorder | 40 million people |
| eating disorders | 14 million |
Ten percent of the world’s populations - approximately 780 million people - have dyslexia (neurological disorder), per Discovery Therapy.
Here are three of the most common autoimmune diseases:
- Type 1 diabetes- approximately 422 million people around the world, per WHO
- fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)- around 4 million adults in America, per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- lupus - estimate: 5 million people across the world, per The Lupus Foundation of America
Invisible Disability Challenges
Confronting invisible disabilities arise from the challenges individuals face in both disclosing and managing their conditions.
Some key aspects include:
a. Social Perception and Stigma
The lack of visible indicators often leads to skepticism and misunderstanding from others who may question the legitimacy of the disability.
This skepticism was also brought up in the 2018 article by Talkspace.
Individuals with invisible disabilities may encounter skepticism or disbelief from:
- friends/peers
- colleagues/officemates
- even healthcare providers
Confronting invisible disabilities makes it challenging for them to receive the understanding and support they need.
b. Self-Disclosure Dilemmas
When confronting invisible disabilities, deciding whether to disclose an invisible disability can be a complex and personal decision.
Going back to that 2017 study previously mentioned, out of the 30 percent of workers with disabilities, only 3.2 percent of them tell their employers that they have one.
Some individuals may fear discrimination or judgment, leading them to hide their condition. According to the said study, 30 percent of workers with invisible disabilities experienced it.
Moreover, workers who reveal that they have disabilities also experienced the following:
| Misjudgment | 42 percent |
| Insults | 31 percent |
| Avoidance | 20 percent |
| Discomfort | 14 percent |
On the other hand, disclosing a disability can be essential for accessing accommodations and support.
On the other hand, disclosing a disability can be essential for accessing accommodations and support, as underscored in the 2023 Forbes article mentioned earlier.
Striking a balance between maintaining privacyand obtaining necessary assistance can be challenging.
c. Variable Symptoms and Fluctuations
Invisible disabilities often involve symptoms that can vary in intensity and may fluctuate over time.
This variability can make it difficult for others to comprehend the unpredictable nature of invisible disabilities.
Individuals may struggle to convey the impact of their disability, and the lack of consistent symptoms may contribute to a lack of understanding or empathy.
d. Navigating Inaccessible Environments
Many environments aren’t designed with the needs of individuals with invisible disabilities in mind.
Lack of awareness about these conditions can result in environments that are physically or socially inaccessible, adding to the challenges faced by those with invisible disabilities.
e. Hidden Struggles and Coping Mechanisms
The internal struggles individuals face due to invisible disabilities are not always apparent.
Coping mechanisms (e.g., managing pain or cognitive challenges) may be invisible to others.
That’s why when confronting invisible disabilities, individuals usually don’t receive acknowledgment or support for their efforts.
f. Workplace Challenges
In a professional setting, individuals with invisible disabilities may encounter difficulties in requesting accommodations or explaining their needs to employers.
Employers and colleagues may be unaware of the impact of the disability on job performance, potentially leading to misunderstandings and barriers to career advancement.
Speaking of work, the 2020 Forbes article mentions that based on research, an employee’s transition process from taking a medical leave to going back to work will become more successful if done ASAP.
g. Inadequate Support Systems
Limited awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities contribute to inadequate support systems.
The following may lack the resources and knowledge needed to accommodate individuals with these conditions effectively:
- educational institutions
- workplaces
- healthcare settings
The article also recommends training - more and more of it - to employers and HR professionals to achieve “a more widely diverse and disability-integrated workforce” one step at a time.
h. Dealing with misconceptions
Stephanie Mantilla, shares in a in a 2021 article by the University of Sydney, where she’s taking her Ph.D. in invisible disabilities, about some of the misconceptions about them:
- Misconception 1:“Invisible disabilities are always invisible.”
- Misconception 2:Those who have invisible disabilities should always let other people know that they have them.
- Misconception 3:Those who have invisible disabilities either lie or exaggerate (or even do both) about the symptoms of their condition or the pain that accompany it.
- Misconception 4:Between visible and invisible disabilities, the former are “more valid.”
As if the challenges of confronting invisible disabilities isn’t enough, those who have them still need to brave additional challenges in the workplace and in society.
Managing Invisible Disabilities
Note that individual experiences vary and what works for one person may not work for another. Nevertheless, these general tips may be helpful when confronting invisible disabilities:
1. Self-Advocacy
a. Communication:Clearly communicate your needs to friends, family, and colleagues. Educate them about your condition and its potential impact on your daily life.
b. Assertiveness:Be assertive about your needs without feeling guilty. You have a right to prioritize your well-being.
2. Workplace Accommodations
a. Disclose When Necessary:If your disability affects your work, consider informing your employer. They may be able to provide reasonable accommodations to make your work environment more accessible.
b. Flexible Schedule:Request flexible work hours or telecommuting options if needed.
3. Self-Care
a. Rest and Pace Yourself:Know your limits and take breaks when needed. So, when confronting invisible disabilities, pace yourself to avoid burnout.
b. Stress Management:Practice stress-reducing activities, such as:
- yoga
- meditation
- deep breathing exercises
a. Assistive Technology:Explore tools and technologies that can assist you in daily tasks.
This might include:
- screen readers
- mobility aids
- voice recognition software
b. Apps for Mental Health:Use apps designed to support mental health (e.g., mood trackers and relaxation apps).
5. Education and Awareness
a. Self-Education:When confronting invisible disabilities, learn as much as you can about your condition. Understanding your limitations and triggers can help you manage them better.
b. Advocate for Awareness:Advocate for awareness of invisible disabilities in your community. This can help reduce stigma and foster understanding.
6. Support Networks
a. Join Support Groups:Connect with others who have similar conditions. Sharing experiences and advice can be both validating and informative.
b. Therapy:Consider individual or group therapy to help you cope with the emotional aspects of living with an invisible disability.
Seeking professional advice from doctors, counselors, or disability support services can also be beneficial in developing a personalized management plan.
Confronting Invisible Disabilities - People Also Ask
What Is Invisible Disability Awareness?
Invisible Disabilities Week (IDW) was first held in 2014, according to Everyday Health. The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) in Colorado organized it.
IDA has since been hosting it every October. The next one will be held on October 20-26, 2024.
IDW aims to raise awareness of and educate the public about invisible disabilities and to reduce stigma and misunderstanding.
How Can We Help Invisible Disabilities?
Below are three great tips to help people with invisible disabilities, as suggested by Paradigm Treatment Center, which offers treatment for mental health conditions:
1. Educate yourself about invisible disabilities. That way, you’ll be enlightened and your misconceptions will be corrected.
2. Initiate to offer help. People with invisible disabilities might be reluctant to ask for one.
3. Give them time to share what happened to them. Don’t be eager to know their story.
Why Should We Help People With Disabilities?
People should help those with disabilities - visible and invisible - because:
- they’re people like you who have dreams, too
- they also want to become productive members of society
- there are certain things they simply find extra difficult and/or physically painful to do
- they just want to live their life and enjoy it and be happy whenever they can
Final Thoughts
Managing, coping with, and confronting invisible disabilities requires a combination of:
- self-awareness
- self-advocacy
- supportive strategies
People with invisible disabilities should remain steadfast. After all, there’s a world that may not always recognize the daily, hourly struggles they face.
Empathy, open communication, and understanding are always sought, and always welcomed.
Remember, confronting invisible disabilities involves a myriad of challenges that may not always meet the eye.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles