DISABILITY AND DISTRESS
People with disabilities are experiencing distress 5 times more than people without disabilities, as per research studies. Disability or handicap is a physical or mental condition that limits people’s normal functioning. This abnormal functioning includes difficulty walking, hearing, seeing, and cognitive difficulties including difficulty in thinking, concentrating, etc.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH
The severity of mental illness is high among people with disability. Chronic illness, unhealthy lifestyle choices, demoralizing limits, and mental health issues are just a few of the negative effects of persistent mental discomfort, especially among disabled people. Disabled persons may face many issues in functioning daily routines such as physical obstacles, negative stereotyping, and limited connection with society. Thus, they become more vulnerable to mental health issues. According to one study, about 82% of people were experiencing low to moderate levels of distress and 9% were severely experiencing mental health issues.
As healthcare expenditures are high, disabled people usually lack access to care and live below the federal poverty line compared to adults without disabilities. In addition, persons with disabilities are more likely than the general population to endure abuse and neglect, which increases their risk of mental illnesses that further restrict their involvement in daily life.
BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Social Stigmas
Generally, individuals with a disability are often treated as invaluable or get no respect rather than treating them as valuable and contributors to society As a result, the people are devaluated as being less than abled persons.
Poverty And Unemployment
Several people with disabilities have difficulty finding full-time work and tend to experience overt discrimination in employment. Furthermore, those who do work are often restricted to temporary or part-time jobs which don’t tend to offer health insurance.
Even though Government has provided some benefits to disabled people, it is not sufficient to live independently. In addition, having a mobility-related condition or living below the poverty line may be harder to get reliable transportation. As a result, people are tending to have more psychological as well as physical illnesses.
Lack Of Concern on Mental Health
In most cases, professionals view mental illness as a result of disability instead of an independent challenge. And clinicians emphasize soothing individuals’ physical discomfort and suffering, which can be harmful to their overall health. When mental health disorders are grouped with other handicap symptoms, poor mental health or mental diseases are completely ignored. And clinicians emphasize soothing individuals’ physical discomfort and suffering, which can be harmful to their overall health (although vital).
Some mental health experts believe that in order for persons with disabilities to fully participate in their communities, they need to be “cured,” however this is not the case. Therefore, having a handicap is seen as a defect rather than a simple feature that just differentiates a person.
Lack Of Expenditures
Government subsidies don’t always cover the costs of mental health treatments for those with developmental impairments and physical limitations, including prescription costs. Medical costs are frequently covered out of pocket by patients, who frequently put their physical health before their mental wellbeing. Housing instability and homelessness may also result from prohibitive expenditures, both of which can worsen mental illness or poor mental health.
HOW DOES COVID PANDEMIC AFFECT DISABLED PEOPLE
During the COVID-19 epidemic, Isolation, disconnect, disturbed routines, and reduced health services have had a significant negative impact on the lives and mental health of persons with disabilities.
WAYS TO COPE WITH DISTRESS
There are lots of ways to cope with stressful events for disabled people. Some of the ways are as follows.
Mental Health Treatment
Mental health treatment is vital for disabled people especially those who are struggling with serious mental issues.
Getting help from counselors or therapists is really helpful to overcome psychological distress. In a difficult time, talking with a trustworthy professional is a great approach to really get rid of your frustration and anger and can also help you feel more confident and self-assured.
Some of the therapies that can provide relief from psychological distress are occupational, speech, and physical therapy.
- Occupational therapy – involves Self-care, acquiring job skills, carrying out household chores, and engaging in leisure activities.
- Speech therapy – aids in the development of vocabulary, receptive and expressive language abilities, speech articulation, and communication skills.
- Physical therapy – provision of adaptable solutions for mobility issues, and improvement of sensory assimilation. It mainly improves the quality of life.
Forming Social Relationship – Having or connecting with people can help disabled people from loneliness and can alleviate distress.
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