Living with an Invisible Disability
Someone close to me has what's called an invisible disability. This is a disability that isn't noticeable to the eye but exists nonetheless. Some examples are fibromyalgia, chronic pain, genetic disorders, and inflammatory bowel issues. These invisible disabilities still impact the person suffering on a day-to-day basis and often need maintenance to prevent remission but other people can't readily identify that you have one. This can present it's own challenges when others either don't believe you actually have an illness or think you're milking it's symptoms.
Thinking of invisible disabilities also got me to thinking about those of us with high functioning mental illness. High functioning mental illness is often an invisible disability because the person has learned how to manage it in such a way that it has minimal impact on their life. They might not even discuss their symptoms with many people besides those closest to them or their therapist.
There's a lot of reasons to keep your mental health issues a secret including the stigma still associated with it and fear of negative perceptions by others. Additionally, trying to explain the challenges associated to others is often very difficult and people (again) think you're either making it up or milking the symptoms. Folks tend to have a hard time believing/understanding what they cannot see.
Struggling with invisible illnesses can often feel like a lonely road which is why it's critical to gain support from other people who can understand. I think online forums and groups are a great place to start as they broaden our access to others, especially if we're struggling with a rare issue. Furthermore, looking for local support groups or fundraisers is another way to find other people struggling with similar issues. You'll find a sense of understanding and connection with others who are struggling just like you, something that can be a wonderful first step on the path to healing.
If you know someone with an invisible disability, do your best to be empathetic. Genuinely try to put yourself in the other person's shoes, even if it's hard for you to understand. Let them know you're here to support them and ask them what they need. Listen to them. Believe them. Do your own research about their struggles to help you understand even more.
These simple steps can go a long way to helping folks with invisible illnesses feel more understood, supported, and empowered to manage their symptoms.
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