Did you know that mental disorders and illnesses are considered to be, in many cases, invisible disabilities? A vast amount of people probably do not know this. As a result, a person with a mental disorder often bears the emotional strain of loneliness in disability and isolation.
Are mental disorders disabilities?
For a long time, mental illnesses and disorders were not considered disabilities. This was probably due in large part to their physical invisibility. Today, things are different. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “states persons with disabilities are those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments.”
While mental disorders and illnesses are unable to be seen by the naked eye, they are disabilities nonetheless.
The sooner people understands this, the better. All too often, people with mental illnesses, disorders, or disturbances hear such expressions as, “Can’t you just get over it,” “Deal with it,” or worse, “Just stop acting mental.” The social stigma on mental issues doesn’t help things, either.
Thankfully, society as we know it is beginning to accept the reality of invisible disabilities — this includes mental disorders. “Society is quickly becoming a place that embraces people at their personal level and pace of learning, and is able to recognize characteristics that indicate invisible disabilities.”
What types of mental illnesses might be considered invisible disabilities?
The list of invisible, disabling mental disorders could be endless. Here are just a few common mental illnesses (some fall under the heading of neurological disorders), disorders, and disturbances that are considered by some to be invisible disabilities:
– Tourette Syndrome – TS is actually a neurological disorder that is “characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.”
– Generalized Anxiety Disorder – This disorder bears the symptoms of anxiety as well as serious, “uncontrollable” worry. It is a life-burdening invisible disability.
– Depression – Of all invisible disabilities, depression may be among the most misunderstood. People often assume depression can be “turned off” by the sufferer. The truth is, depression can be overwhelming and, in many cases, must be treated medically.
When will mental issues be seen for what many of them are — invisible disabilities?
The answer to this question is, when people get educated about this reality. This is where awareness comes into play. Get educated about the reality of mental disorders and illnesses as disabilities, and educate others by talking about it. This can do more than you know as far as increasing awareness of these invisible disabilities.
Sources:
http://www.disabilityliving.ca/people_with_disabilities_invisible_disability/
http://www.idacan.com/Mental_ill.html
http://www.idacan.com/Mental_ill.html#pid2
http://www.idacan.com/Mental_ill.html#pid4
Image made available by mxgirl85 on Flickr through Creative Commons License.
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
Let’s Talk About It
Do you consider mental illnesses and disorders to be invisible disabilities? Why or why not?
Do you suffer from a mental issue that you think falls under the heading of “invisible disability”? If so, what do you wish others understood about your condition?
Yes. Invisible disorders are scary to you, & when you face others, they seem to be either facinated or try to ignore the seen problem.
I have facial distonia. Sometimes it is really bad & in plain english, it screws up my whole face.
I know that it is covered under the health program to get botox which does help 100% for me.
But the problem is that it is only covered if I have reached my health coverage limit. But I still have to pay $60.00. So, it is not covered. I am on a limited income & I cannot afford this extra cost. I cannot afford it at all if I have not used up my coverage.
It is very sad that I have to stay hidden when it is bad, as others do not like facing this facial screwing up movement.
Why can’t this be changed to include full coverage so people don’t have to believe that there is something wrong with you, when it is a problem that can be fixed.
I have paid thousand’s of dollar’s for the health system over the years, & when I need it, it is not here for me.
I do not have very many hours that I can interact with others. I just stay home.
It also interfers with my eye sight, as my eye lid droops & I have to hold it up. My eye area aches a lot because it is hard to try to stop it from twitching.
You ask about getting people educated about certain problems. I don’t want to educate people, get the health system to drop their rules for a disability like distonia.
Why ? especially when there is a cure.
The hard unforgiving part is with the person that has the problem.
They hate facing others & they hate the health system as it all boils down to money – the government being greedy instead of helping.
I also have a son who has pseudarthrosis (not spelt right), & he had a cast for 3 months at a time & had to use crutches.
This went on for 10 years. People – adults & children both looked & talked like he was mentally handicapped. It did change him so he didn’t want to go out among people.
I did speak about these 2 problems to many, many people over the years. They still all looked at you like you did have a mental problem & they treated you like a mental person. One example is they did not want to be around you or even talk to you.
One doctor put on my chart that I had a mental problem because my son had a bone problem.
Yes, it hurts. It is something you never forget.
I don’t know if this got posted or not, so I will redo it.
There is a problem with doctors not dealing with the problems pronto.
There should be a faster way to see specialists.
Espicially when there is a way to fix the problem so the person that has it does not have to become a hermit, or be personally changed because of this problem, this hidden disability.