People with disabilities may face challenges with adjusting to their limitations. Be it a physical disability or a mental health disability, living with one is seldom easy. It is not just the disabled person who suffers. Their family members may suffer too.
The word disability is not limited to physical limitations. Disability may also refer to the mental health of an individual. Nearly 1 in 5 American adults are diagnosed with a mental illness.
Many People Suffer From Mental Health Disabilities
People often think of physical limitations when someone is diagnosed with a disability, but a person’s mental health can be affected too. For example, a person’s ability to socialize with others may be limited by severe anxiety or depression.
They may be isolated from friends and family because of their limitations. Similarly, individuals with hearing impairment may find it difficult to live freely and socialize. Whether suffering from a physical or mental health condition, the experience can be isolating and lonely.
People living with a disability may require additional assistance. Those suffering from more severe health conditions may find it difficult to survive without support. They may develop depression or feel themselves a burden to their families. Over time, isolation and depression can lead to more serious mental health issues.
If the disabled person was previously the breadwinner of the family, they may feel as though they let down family members. People with disabilities often experience a sense of helplessness and despair because they are unable to continue supporting their families. The situation may cause added stress which may lead to more anxiety.
Medical treatment for physical disabilities may also detrimentally impact the mental health of an individual. It can be exceptionally difficult to maintain a positive state of mind. Watching a loved one suffer can even impact the mental health of family members.
Many families also experience financial distress when the primary breadwinner becomes disabled. Disabled people may be unable to continue working due to their health conditions. The percentage of the population diagnosed with a Mental Health Disability has risen significantly over the past decade.
It is important to understand the eligibility criteria for establishing entitlement to disability benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Criteria may be different depending on your circumstances. For example, older adults often face disabling conditions as they age. The criteria for benefits at age 55 is often less rigorous than for younger adults.
It is Okay to Not Be Okay
Stress is an unavoidable part of our daily lives. How we respond to it, however, can make all the difference. Your mental health may depend on several aspects of your daily life. You should try to reduce stress and engage in healthy activities such as meditation and exercise.
To deal with financial stress, you may want to file a disability claim. The Social Security Administration has programs designed to help people who are struggling financially and suffering from an impairment, regardless of whether it is a physical or mental impairment. The SSA will consider each disability based on the medical evidence provided with the application.
Approval of an application for benefits depends on whether the medical evidence provided demonstrates the eligibility criteria. A condition that meets the eligibility criteria in the Blue Book may be approved faster. You should ensure that you provide all medical evidence in support of your claim and disability eligibility when you submit an application. A qualified disability attorney can help to ensure your application is well-supported with evidence.
How to Look After Your Mental Health
Various relaxation techniques may help to cope with stress. Here are a few activities that you can try to improve your mental health:
- Quiet your mind – Living with a disability can be stressful. This is why it is crucial to adopt some relaxation techniques like meditating or praying. Meditation has been shown to help calm the mind and deal with stressful situations.
- Learn how to cope with stress – You may not be able to cure the impairment, but you can try to reduce the mental impact. You can try different stress management exercises to keep yourself mentally healthy. Writing a journal, exercising, taking a nature walk are just some of the techniques that may help you to cope with stress.
- Take care of your mind and body – As discussed, it is essential to take care of your mind when dealing with mental and physical health conditions. You should also treat your body well by eating nutritious and healthy foods every day. In addition, you should try to get the proper amount of sleep every night and maintain an active lifestyle. Experts agree that approximately eight hours of sleep per night is ideal for adults. Even if your condition is severe, proper diet, sleep and exercise can improve your quality of life and mental health. Taking care of your outer health helps to improve your inner health.
- Value yourself – You may have lost your ability to work, go out, and socialize in the same way you used to. That does not decrease your worth. Value yourself and learn techniques to avoid being overly self-critical. Many people overly criticize themselves as a way of self-motivating, but we can do more damage to our psyches if we are overly hard on ourselves.
- Ask for help – If you are struggling to cope with disabilities, there is help available. You should speak to friends, family members, or others you feel comfortable with. If you need a mental health professional’s assistance, do not hesitate to ask for help. Everyone experiences difficulties from time to time. It is important to know that help is available and that you are strong enough to deal with anything.
If you are struggling with a disability that is impacting your mental and financial health, you should consider applying for disability benefits. Contact an experienced disability lawyer in Texas to begin the process.
