Hidden disabilities

[Theemeperorsnewclothes]

Am I being unreasonable to think that hidden disabilities are still ignored or not supported in the workplace or by the wider public?

In fact, there is often a collective misgiving to any hidden disability, despite a clinical diagnosis and clear medical background reports to support hidden disabilities.

I have heard team members/friends etc… ‘poo poo’ a diagnosis of other colleagues or friends conditions, just because they don’t think it’s ‘real’

I find that frustrating, as surely no one makes this up!, how could they make it up?

Not all disabilities are visible - some are not obvious and can make everyday life demanding for so many people.

In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability, 80 per cent of which have a hidden disability.
Hidden disabilities are a wide range of physical and mental conditions that are not visible or immediately obvious. They can range from a speech impediment, reduced sight, bipolar, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, autism, depression, and there are many others.

I find it sad that so many people are struggling (from my own experience, a lot of women) and not only, not getting the support they need, being gaslighted, and (behind their backs) ridiculed by colleagues/‘friends’/acquaintances ☹️. I see and hear it happening so often now, I wonder if it’s just the norm with unkind people who can’t empathise or sympathise, or am I missing something.

Hyperfocus is a symptom of ADHD.

@Notanotherhousepost You couldn't be more wrong...

Hearing impaired.
People are incredibly rude and annoyed by it.

I don't put up with it anymore. I will turn my hearing aids off and blank them.

I'd love to not pay attention to boring stuff but thats life.

I know someone with an official ADHD diagnosis from 20 years ago, by the way, and even he says "of he really wants to he can focus using strategies he's learnt over the years but its so much easier not to unless he has to."

Its difficult I know but I don't believe its as common as made out just poor attention span.... and I have developed exactly that due to modern life, scrolling and the internet.

I suffer from ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Peripheral Neuropathy, Osteoarthritis, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Autism, ADHD. Because I don't have any limbs missing or use a wheelchair 100% of the time I get told "you don't look disabled" or in the case of the DWP aren't "disabled enough".

@Notanotherhousepost maybe do some research into neurodivergence, you may then understand more about the person with ADHD can focus if he needs to with strategies that he has learnt over the years. That focus takes a lot of effort and may be mentally and physically draining for them, so they may be able to do it when needed, but it isn't sustainable for a long period of time. Over the years he has learnt when he needs to put in that effort and when he is better using his energy and effort in a better way. ADHD/ADD (attention deficit disorder without the hyperactivity) can impact people in different ways, so you may meet two people with the same condition and they will be capable/struggle with different things. A reasonable adjustment, which is what someone is entitled to, could work in many different ways, but for example allowing more time for a job to be completed is a reasonable one, and would allow someone to take the breaks they need to recover from the extra effort they have to put in, Other neurodivergent conditions such as dyslexia etc are often (not always) accompanied by things such as a poor short term working memory -give them a list and by the time you have got to the end they have forgotten the start, (it doesn't have to be a long list either). Even though there is dyslexia in the family, until knowing what my daughter experiences I didn't fully understand the other issues it causes - other than the obvious issues with reading and spelling,

Yanbu at all however I do think the situation isn't helped by bandwagon jumping that appears to go on these days.

There is an obsession with labelling and the rise of the Tik Tok diagnosis. People claiming they have XYZ because they have watched a few videos and it strikes a chord. People who are desperately searching for some miracle explanation of why they feel they are failing when in reality many are just juggling too many plates and struggling with the time/financial demands of modern life. It's exploded since Covid unfortunately. It's awful because the general public then change their perception of certain disorders and don't take them as seriously as they should be. Quite offensive really.

I have Crohn’s and my BMI is over 30. There’s a common misconception that everyone with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis is underweight, but it’s not true. I’ve been given a couple of raised eyebrows recently.

Sorry to hear so many people are struggling. That’s a good point @Willyoujustbequiet perhaps social media/increased diagnosis/post Covid complications have actually made things worse for people with hidden disabilities because they are even more likely to be questioned/not believed. It is sad really. I am always baffled by people who want to completely dismiss someone’s condition/struggles. I don’t get it. I do appreciate that some might be annoyed if they feel like the individual is getting preferential treatment in some way but surely it’s justifiable. Making reasonable adjustments. I feel like it’s one of those topics in friendship/work groups where you instantly know who is going to have a problem with someone daring to disclose a diagnosis and the empaths who really care and want to understand.