Living with Hidden Disabilities: The Challenges You Can’t See

I battle my own body and mind as much as I battle societal misconceptions. Many people living with chronic illnesses or hidden disabilities don’t appear any different from healthy individuals. This leads to a long list of misunderstandings. People living with hidden disabilities often bear the burden of making the invisible visible to others. (Source: British Medical Journal)

This thought plagues many of us: Do I deserve accommodations? Are there others who need them more? Should I even ask for help?

Logically, I know the answer. Yes, I am disabled. Yes, I am living with hidden disabilities. My doctors wouldn’t diagnose me otherwise. Yes, I deserve accommodations; they are necessary for me to function. Yes, others may have it worse, but receiving the help I need doesn’t take away from them.

Then there are the external doubts. I’ve had more than my fair share of confrontations with people who don’t understand disability rights or think I’m faking for special treatment. Even within the disability community, a small number engage in the Pain Olympics, diminishing the struggles of others.

Recently, I had a particularly jarring experience. After undergoing a complicated wisdom tooth extraction at 35, I sought emergency treatment. The dentist refused to see me because I had a service animal. I didn’t look disabled enough, he said. He accused me of lying.

While I may never experience the struggles of someone who encounters physical barriers, like inaccessible buildings or inaccessible restrooms or those who are spoken to like children because of their disability, I do understand the disbelief, the accusations, and the self-doubt that come with having a hidden disability.

Whether or not you are living with hidden disabilities, we are all human—people trying to survive in a world that can be unkind. Please, be kind. Be understanding. And most importantly, stop comparing suffering. It serves no purpose and doesn’t make anyone feel better.

The disabled community is diverse and filled with incredible people. Let’s support, rather than alienate, each other. Let's avoid the games of the oppression olympics.

A hidden disability is a health condition or impairment that is not immediately obvious. It challenges stereotypes about what disability looks like and can make accessing support more difficult. The impact varies—some people experience minor challenges, while for others, their disability significantly affects daily life.

Many people with non-visible conditions prefer terms like “hidden” or “less-visible” rather than “invisible” because the latter can imply that the disability does not exist. Some also avoid “hidden” because it may suggest intentional concealment.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is that just because a disability cannot be seen does not mean it is not real. Some hidden disabilities fluctuate—one day, a person may require mobility aids, while the next, they may not.

Daily life varies greatly for people with hidden disabilities. These conditions include but are not limited to:

• Mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Autism and neurodivergence

• Sensory impairments: Visual or hearing impairments, sensory processing disorders

• Cognitive impairments: Dementia, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities

• Chronic illnesses: Diabetes, chronic pain, respiratory conditions, fatigue syndromes

• Other non-visible conditions: Incontinence, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders

The kind of support needed varies, and it’s best not to assume. Listening to disabled individuals and acting on their needs is the most effective way to provide meaningful support.

People with hidden disabilities want the same thing everyone does: to be treated with respect. Just because you can’t see a disability doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Nobody is obligated to disclose their disability. Some choose to wear lanyards or badges to indicate they may need extra support while traveling or shopping. Others prefer not to. Respecting personal choices is key.