How to cope with an invisible disability

Having an invisible disability can make life tough. Not only do you have to manage your condition, but you may also feel that because your issues are not obvious, you struggle to get the support you need.

The psychological stress that this adds to the challenges of invisible disabilities can make life feel extra hard and lonely.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve put together some ideas on how to cope if you live with an invisible disability. Once you start putting them into practice, you’ll find it easier to cope with your everyday tasks and will experience renewed confidence and optimism.

What is an invisible disability?

An invisible disability, also known as a hidden disability, is a disability that’s not obvious straight away. People with invisible disabilities don’t necessarily need a wheelchair or a guide dog to get about. But they may still face significant challenges in their day-to-day life, which are not obvious at first glance.

Invisible disabilities examples include:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Hearing impairment
• Learning disabilities
• Mental health conditions
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Traumatic brain injury
• Visual impairment

Whatever your invisible disability, you can find ways to make your everyday life easier. Let’s look at how.

Join a support group

When you join a support group – whether online or in person – you will immediately be able to connect with people who have had similar experiences to you.

These are welcoming places where you can share your frustrations, swap tips on coping with your invisible disabilities and receive the moral support you need to lead a fulfilling and proactive life.

Once you start sharing your story, you will feel less isolated and more capable of staying positive about your life.

Get support from your HR department

Your HR department should be knowledgeable about invisible disabilities in the workplace, so don’t hesitate to let them know about your condition.

If you need to take time off for your hidden disability, whether that’s to rest or to attend appointments, then you will feel more confident about asking for the help you need.

Your employer should be able to support you with adapting the working environment – for example, by providing specialised equipment and office furniture.

You can also discuss ways to change your working pattern to fit around your individual needs, such as working from home or working flexible hours.

Take care of your physical and emotional wellbeing

Living with an invisible disability day-to-day can be physically demanding as well as stressful. That’s why it’s so important to schedule in time to take care of yourself through exercise and activities that nurture your emotional wellbeing.

The Australian government recommends that adults should aim for 2 ½ to 5 hours of moderate or 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours of vigorous physical activity a week. But it also says that even if you can only manage a limited amount of exercise, that’s a positive step.

If you’re not used to exercising, start off with gentle activity like walking, yoga or tai chi, then work up to the recommended levels if you are able.

There are lots of different ways you can nurture your emotional wellbeing, depending on your interests. You can try:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Keeping a journal
• Writing a gratitude list
• Meeting a friend for a chat
• Doing anything that makes you happy, whether that’s spending time with family, enjoying nature or watching a feel-good movie

Wear a medical ID bracelet

If you have an invisible disability, a medical wristband can support you as you go about your day-to-day life.

You can choose a bracelet that clearly states your condition or opt for one with a sunflower design, the symbol of hidden or invisible disabilities.

You can even customise your medical ID alert with your condition when you choose a write-on bracelet.

If you’re going to be wearing your medical ID bracelet frequently, then opt for a silicone wristband that’s durable, non-toxic and comfortable.

Whichever style you choose, your medical ID alert bracelet will do the talking for you, discreetly communicating your condition and making others aware that you may need a bit of extra support.

Shop medical wristbands Australia

Now that you’ve read our tips on coping with an invisible disability, you should feel inspired to approach life more confidently knowing that a few simple steps can make a big difference.

And if you’re looking for a medical wristband to help make life easier, then check out our extensive range here at Mediband.

We are proud to supply quality medical wristbands to customers all over Australia in a wide range of colours and sizes. Easy to wear and versatile, you will be sure to find one to communicate your condition.

You’ll soon find that choosing to wear a medical alert wristband is one small step that makes a world of difference!