(Image from Addison's Disease Self-Help Group)
The Addison's Disease self-help group reports that across the UK 1 in 5 people are living with a disability and 80% have a hidden disability. They recently highlighted four main challenges that are:
Medication routines
Balancing energy levels
managing hospital appointments
Daily symptoms
This can have a major impact on a person's ability to work, attend school, socialise and complete everyday tasks.
People with invisible illnesses or disabilities often find it harder to access the support and resources they need to function. This can be due to a lack of awareness and understanding from others.
Psychology Today has some great advice to support those with invisible health conditions. It explores how you can navigate questions and judgement from others and has some great coping strategies which are:
Letting go of expectations — they can often lead to disappointment.
Finding support through friends, family, and groups.
Dropping the guilt — It serves no purpose.
Seeking professional help to best manage your symptoms.
Experimenting with activities that bring you joy.
Realising you can’t control others — Don’t allow others’ negativity to bring you down.
Pick your battles — evaluate whether it’s worth your energy.
Be kind to yourself.
Spread awareness: When able, inform others about life with an invisible disability/illness.
Maybe, just maybe, you will open the eyes of others and help them learn to be kinder and less judgmental. We can only hope! Staying strong through the various networks and groups who promote and encourage those with invisible health conditions and disabilities is great but there needs to be more widespread understanding.
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