What is a Hidden Disability?

Posted July 24, 2015 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

You have heard about judging a book by its cover. As people, we often do just that. We look at someone and we make judgments or assumptions based on how they look. It may be any number of things we think give us clues into who they really are.

This happens every day for people with disabilities. Did you know that 94% of disabilities are referred to as hidden disabilities*? These disabilities are not immediately apparent to others. Hidden disabilities can present people with very complex problems. Yet people they meet or deal with on a daily basis often have no idea what everyday life is like for that person.

It can be very difficult getting assistance with a complex problem that nobody knows is there. Sometimes, it is difficult to even convince someone that you have a problem. It may seem like you have your life that others see and another “invisible life”.

Hidden disabilities come in many forms. They can be primarily physical or mental in nature. They can involve chronic pain, system disorders, difficulty in sensing, mental or emotional health issues, and many other conditions. Some examples include, anxiety, back injuries, depression, brain injuries, heart disease, cancer, neurological disorders, autism, blood diseases, digestive disorders such as Crohn’s Disease, glandular disorders, and immune system disorders.

At Premier Disability Services, our employees are trained to understand the difficulties and complexities of having a disability. We work as a team and care about making your life better. We do this by providing you with expert representation and walking you through every step of the Social Security disability process.

*From data from the U.S. Department of Commerce; and Statistical and Census Briefs from the Bureau of the Census.