Common Hidden Disabilities to Be Aware of at Work

Hidden disabilities are more common than we might believe them to be. There are over 14 million disabled people in the U.K. and more people than ever are getting the diagnoses that they need. This means that more people have the classification of being disabled too.

Disabled people are a significant portion of the U.K. population and yet many disabled people are still ignored and forgotten about. Many people do not get the support they need in critical areas either. This can be for many reasons, including stigma, lack of funding, and social attitudes towards disability. For some people, it is due to the fact that their disability is hidden or invisible. 

What Are Hidden Disabilities?

Hidden or invisible disabilities are, by nature, not easy to spot. Someone with a hidden disability can spend years working around other people who do not know they are disabled. If this person also doesn’t feel comfortable disclosing their disability, they will never get the support or recognition they need.

At Careers with Disabilities, we believe that all disabilities should get the recognition they need and deserve. This starts with education and awareness. So, in collaboration with our Disability Advice Hub, we have compiled this blog to give you a brief overview of common hidden disabilities we should all be aware of in the workplace. Even a little bit of knowledge about what our employees and colleagues are going through can make a huge difference. 

Common Hidden Disabilities

Let’s start with…

ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Once a disorder commonly misunderstood and focused generally on children, ADHD is something much more accepted and talked about in our modern climate. More adults are being diagnosed with ADHD than ever before, and more adults are realising the extent to which the condition has affected them throughout their adult lives. ADHD is extremely relevant to how people cope at work, and so much research has gone into the effects of ADHD in the workplace. The condition affects concentration, focus, ability to meet deadlines and timeframes, and many more factors including mood regulation. This is an important one to know about at work in 2022 and beyond.

Autism

Autism is another neurodiverse condition that is gaining more attention and awareness right now. We are seeing many adults being diagnosed with autism only now after having lived with the condition their entire life. Autism affects how a person thinks and interacts with other people. Many autistic adults struggle with interpersonal communication, changes in routine, stress, and uncertainty. Many people with autism like structure and doing things in a specific way. It is common for people with autism to be misdiagnosed with other conditions, especially mental health conditions such as BPD and anxiety, as so many symptoms can overlap and be misunderstood. Understanding autism is critical in any workplace. 

Personality Disorders

A personality disorder is a type of severe mental health condition. There are different types of personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and more. Each type of PD comes with its own set of symptoms and experiences. However, the general consensus is that living with a personality disorder can be extremely stressful and challenging. It can cause the person to struggle in all aspects of their lives, including getting and keeping a job. Knowing how to keep someone with a personality disorder safe and supported at work can be tremendously helpful. Therefore, it should be something much more of us are able to do.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a common hidden disability that can be caused or stem from a wide range of factors. Some people may acquire CFS due to a previous illness, infection or accident. Others may suddenly display symptoms of the condition with no root cause. Living with CFS can be incredibly challenging and isolating. Particularly so as the disease is so invisible. People with CFS can struggle to find work that suits them and allows them to take the rest they need, and many may end up unemployed or in minimal employment without the right support. 

Chronic Pain/Fibromyalgia

Chronic pain and fibromyalgia are similar to CFS in how challenging and isolating they can be. Someone living with chronic and often unexplainable pain can feel great stress, anxiety and depression on top of the pain they are already feeling. There is no cure for chronic pain and so many people living with it can feel hopeless. Without the right support, people with this condition also feel pushed out of work, especially full-time work. Much more understanding and acceptance of these conditions are needed to help the people living with them feel safer and more supported. 

Crohn’s and Colitis

Crohn’s and colitis are types of inflammatory bowel diseases that affect many people across the U.K. Both cause pain, issues with digestion, cramps, diarrhoea or constipation, and food sensitivities. They can also have further complications involving the immune system. Many people living with these conditions feel embarrassed about their symptoms and are reluctant to disclose their disability to an employer. Working in an office or physical workplace can be particularly difficult due to needing to use the bathroom more frequently than others, leading many with these conditions to look for remote work.

Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dyspraxia

These three sister conditions are under the umbrella of learning difficulties, however, they are generally thought to be quite mild. Despite this, they do provide significant challenges for adults in the workplace. They are also very important for employers and colleagues to consider. Dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia all have a significant impact on how someone learns and works and their working environment needs to be adjusted so that they can work in the best way possible. It is a good idea to take some time to learn about each condition in its own right. This will ensure you have the most relevant information.

Find the Support You Need with a Hidden Disability 

At Careers with Disabilities, we have everything you need as a person with a hidden disability looking for a new job and/or support at work.

We know just how hard it can be to live with a hidden disability and to get the right support. When nobody can easily see what you deal with on a daily basis, it makes things more difficult.

We have everything you need to find out more about your rights at work, get the financial help you need, find the right job opportunity for you, and much more. Check out our guides for disabled job seekers and our inclusive job board for more.

We can also help to support employers supporting their employees with hidden disabilities. Check our guidance for employers and services for companies to find out what we have to offer you in your journey to accessibility and disability-positivity at work. 

Anything else you need and can’t find on our site? Contact us via our website or call us on 0345 872 4501. Alternatively, you can email us directly at info@careerswithdisabilities.com.