Understanding Adults with Disabilities and Frequent Mental Distress
Blue Daily
| 4 min read
More than one in four adult Americans have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even more people will experience a temporary disability at some point in their life. Disabled adults are a diverse group of Americans – not every disability affects individuals in the same ways. However, adults with disabilities have a propensity for mental health issues and frequent mental distress, defined as feeling stress, anguish, anxiety or mentally unwell for 14 or more days out of a month. More than 30% of adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress, a much higher percentage than in the general population.
Why do adults with disabilities experience frequent mental distress?
What is it about disabilities that cause these higher levels of frequent mental distress? Living with a disability doesn’t always mean the same thing or affect daily life the same way for everyone person, but there are commonalities among adults with disabilities that can contribute to this frequent mental distress.
Income and employment status
Many adults with disabilities struggle to maintain full-time employment or meet their needs through a working income. This results in many adults with disabilities relying on temporary, part-time or seasonal work or disability income. Even with full-time employment, many workplaces are still rife with discrimination and a lack of understanding surrounding disability, and pursuing or winning legal challenges is often difficult for those with disabilities. Often this results in an inability to afford many key conveniences or necessities such as transportation, car maintenance and repairs, nutritious meals or health care.
Adverse health conditions and unmet health care needs
Disabilities can affect other areas of health, including mental health, sleep, nutrition, communication, social health and physical fitness. Many adults with disabilities lack the accessibility of health care or access that able-bodied adults have and may not realize when they are experiencing symptoms of a new health condition or illness. They also may not be able to schedule their own appointments or transport themselves.
Cognitive and mobility problems
Many disabilities affect individuals’ mobility or cognitive abilities. This can cause stress and uncertainty, making everyday tasks or communication difficult. Some adults with disabilities may not fully understand their own health needs. Adults with disabilities that affect their mobility often depend on public transportation, ride-sharing programs or loved ones who transport them to medical appointments, to the store to get food and supplies, to the pharmacy to pick up medications or even to a park to get fresh air. They may have significant cognitive impairments too that make it difficult for them to understand or express their needs, including the need for help for their mental distress, depression or anxiety.
Social isolation
Because of these other barriers to health care and social interaction, many adults with disabilities may endure social isolation and extended periods of time alone. This is not healthy for anyone, whether they have a disability or not. Social isolation leads to higher rates of mental health issues, anxiety, depression, heart disease and cognitive decline. It can cause frequent mental distress on its own. Social stigma around disabilities can add to this isolation and increase stress levels as well.
Treatment for mental health issues tied to disability
Being aware of the limitations or barriers that come along with disability is a good first step, but awareness doesn’t treat mental distress or mental health issues. Adults with disabilities dealing with frequent mental distress, including anxiety and depression, are best treated by mental health professionals aware of the unique effect disability can have on mental health.
Telehealth is a good option, but for adults with communicative issues or cognitive issues this may still be difficult for them to attend. Finding community resources, support groups and fellow adults with disabilities to spend time with can also have a profound effect on the mental health issues adults with disabilities often experience.
Additionally, continued education and support in workplace environments is needed to continue to erode the misunderstandings, misconceptions, mistreatment and discrimination that these adults often face in work environments. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability works to connect adults with disabilities to resources, educational materials and support systems that can help them in these areas.
