One of the most common types of disabilities is an invisible disability. Although others cannot see their disability, they impact their thoughts, actions, and behaviors. These people might not talk about their disability because it often goes unnoticed by others. It does not manifest itself in ways that are easily noticed by others.
What are Invisible Disabilities?
Invisible disabilities are disabilities that are undetected by sight, such as chronic illness and diseases. Invisible illnesses are those whose symptoms are not detectable to the naked eye and can only be understood through a blood test or MRI. Therefore, the term “invisible disability” refers to any condition limiting an individual’s ability to do specific tasks and activities but may not be observable by others.
There is a greater need for doctors and researchers to study these conditions due to their unknown origins, prevalence, and difficulty diagnosing them.
Invisible disabilities affect many people today. For example, chronic illness is one of the most common invisible disabilities. It affects approximately 25% of the population at some point in their life span without affecting their visibility. Sufferers will often have difficulty with school or work and social relationships.
How Invisible Disabilities Affect People’s Lives
Invisible disabilities mainly affect the person who has them, but sometimes they can also affect other people in their lives. For example, a person with a cognitive disability may have trouble filling out a job application or remembering to take their medication when they need to.
Invisible Impact, these types of disabilities can significantly impact people’s lives and careers, so people need to stay open-minded about them and know how they may be affected by them.
Top 10 Invisible Disabilities That Have a Major Impact on People’s Lives
It is essential to be aware of all the distinct types of disabilities, visible or not. This list is not exhaustive but contains some common invisible disabilities that significantly impact people’s lives.
Some common invisible disabilities that many people might not be aware of are
- dyslexia,
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
- sensory processing disorder (SPD),
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
- anxiety disorders.
- depression,
- chronic fatigue syndrome,
- Addiction disorders
- other mental illnesses or neurological conditions that affect a person’s cognition or behavior.
A disability can be considered “invisible” when the general population does not diagnose it, or the person with it does not fit in one of society’s pre-established categories for what may constitute a disability.
Why You Should Take Time to Support People with Invisible Disabilities
It is good to take time to support people with invisible disabilities. It is essential to understand that people with invisible disabilities are like you. They have their own journey and life story.
