Disabilities are not always as obvious as people assume. Some disabilities are invisible, for all intents and purposes. This can make it hard for others to understand exactly what a person is going through or what their disability looks like.
Generally speaking, an invisible disability is just something that is neurological, rather than physical, in nature. It manifests itself within the person and it is an internal issue. It can have physical symptoms, but it doesn’t have the classic signs that people are looking for. For instance, it is usually obvious to someone that a person in a wheelchair may have a disability, but it is less obvious that someone suffering from a cognitive disorder could have the same type of condition.
Can you still seek benefits?
You can still seek benefits from many of these invisible disabilities. For instance, they could include things like chronic fatigue, PTSD or even schizophrenia. Someone who meets you for the first time may not know that you’re suffering from any of these issues, but they are certainly still present in your life and they are defined as disabilities by the Social Security Administration.
That being said, if you apply for benefits, it may be very important to get the proper medical documentation to back up your claims. Only you can know exactly how you are feeling, but doctors can make an official diagnosis, track your symptoms, give recommendations for medication or other treatments, and demonstrate how your condition is going to keep you from working.
This can be a complicated process. It can also take a significant amount of time. Be sure you know about the legal options at your disposal.