For many, the daily realities of living with a disability can be exhausting. Managing chronic pain, mobility limitations, or sensory impairments often requires significant emotional energy. Tasks that might seem simple—like grocery shopping or attending a meeting—can involve intricate planning and adaptations. And when you look at it from that perspective, it’s no wonder that people with disabilities are five times more likely to struggle with their mental health.
In this blog, we’re going to break down the ways that having a disability impacts mental health as well as how ableism can make things harder for people who are struggling here in Chicago. Let’s get into it.
Disabilities can affect nearly every aspect of a person's life, from what they do for work and where they live, all the way down to the size of their grocery list and the way they cut their hair. Beyond physical challenges and practicalities, many people with disabilities find that the hidden impacts of their disabilities are overlooked in favor of solving the more tangible struggles they face. The impact of ableism, loneliness, limited energy, and financial strains from accessing healthcare all contribute to the hidden impact of disability on mental health. This impact can range from navigating inaccessible environments to coping with social stigma and feelings of isolation.
Managing chronic pain, mobility limitations, or sensory impairments often requires significant emotional energy. The ways this might show up in someone’s life can look many different ways, often intertwining with societal barriers, personal circumstances, and the unique demands of each individual's disability. It can make it more difficult to lead the life you want, through barriers such as managing daily physical barriers, dealing with health complications, or navigating social stigma.
Social factors also play a significant role. People with disabilities may encounter stereotypes, pity, or outright discrimination. These experiences can make them feel invisible or excluded, contributing to feelings of loneliness and worthlessness. Furthermore, navigating complex healthcare systems and advocating for accommodations can become a relentless source of stress.
Disabilities affect mental health in ways that aren’t always obvious to others. People with disabilities often face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. These mental health challenges can be tied to a range of experiences, such as managing daily physical barriers, dealing with health complications, or navigating social stigma.
For example, inaccessible spaces or technologies can make it harder to stay independent, leaving people feeling excluded or overlooked. This exclusion can weigh heavily over time, leading to loneliness or frustration. And because the world is largely designed with able-bodied people in mind, disabled individuals often have to spend extra energy just to keep up—a burden that’s invisible to most.
Ableism is the umbrella term for any type of discrimination or prejudice against disabled people. It can be blatant, like denying someone a job because of their disability, or more subtle, like assuming a disabled person can’t contribute positively to their job. An attitude of ableism builds barriers that go beyond the physical, fostering environments where disabled individuals feel like they matter less or won’t be believed. These are doubly reinforced for disabled people who are also marginalized in other ways.
Ableism isn’t just external. Internalized ableism—when someone starts believing the negative stereotypes society places on them—can also impact mental health. For example, a person might hesitate to ask for accommodations because they feel like they’re being a “burden,” even when those supports are reasonable and necessary.
Here are some of the things we can accomplish by working together to better understand the hidden impact of disabilities on mental health.
This knowledge can help you to:
When you live with a disability, the idea of adding another appointment or doctor can feel like the opposite of help. But leaving your mental health unmanaged will not be the solution you need.
Here’s a checklist to help you recognize when you or someone you love might need to consider asking for support to manage their mental health:
In a city like Chicago, many resource services are available to support people with disabilities and their families. These services can be life-changing, helping individuals tackle both the emotional impacts of their disabilities and the stressors of daily life.
Counseling offers a space for individuals to process their experiences, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. Therapists familiar with the unique challenges of disabilities can help clients address feelings of isolation, navigate grief over lost abilities, or rebuild self-esteem. If you’re living with a disability or love someone who is and you’re looking for a therapist who understands the complexity of your life, we’d love to help. Pure Health Center has a diverse staff of clinicians with professional expertise and lived experience, so get in touch today and we can match you with the right counselor to help you step out of the hidden impacts and into your own power.
