When we hear the word disabilities, our minds are quick to imagine a person in a wheelchair or a paralyzed child who can do nothing for themselves. However, this classification is limiting. Disabilities transcend beyond physical barriers, including internal struggles hidden from the naked eye.

Because of this misunderstanding, we are more open to sympathizing with people who fit in our preexisting mold for people living with disabilities. But, it is expedient that we recognize other categories to fight against stigma and discrimination and create a supportive environment for everyone.

Having looked at physical and sensory disabilities, let us explore two types of disabilities that do not always have physical manifestations.

Psychiatric Disabilities

Another name for psychiatric disabilities is mental health conditions. These conditions can affect a person’s daily functions, relationships, and overall well-being, leading to societal misconceptions. The National Institute of Mental Health states that at least one in every four persons in the United States suffers from one form of psychiatric condition. Some examples of psychiatric disabilities are:

Mood Disorders

The major characteristics of mood disorders are persistent sadness, depression, and a lack of interest in activities the person once took pleasure in. Some examples are Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder.

With bipolar disorder, the person is subject to depressive episodes and sudden manic or hypomanic periods. Hypomania is when a person has a heightened sense of well-being and physical and mental energy. A person with bipolar disorder in a hypomanic state will be more talkative, friendly, and productive than usual. Mania, on the other hand, lets the person experience similar bursts of energy. However, their overdriven emotions may drive them to reckless behaviors and decisions. In severe cases, the person may suffer from delusions and hallucinations. Manias usually last longer than hypomania. And while hypomania may sound like an appealing option, it can lead to mania or depressive episodes.

Anxiety Disorders

Everyone has anxiety, but people who suffer from anxiety disorders are prone to extremes in worrying, fear, and panic. Common anxiety disorders are Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder usually causes the person to have unwanted repetitive thoughts and actions. Obsession is responsible for thoughts, while compulsion is responsible for actions.

Depending on the severity of the episodes or disorder, the affected person may be unable to form and sustain steady relationships or be productive in society.

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are illnesses that affect the mind and cause a detachment from reality. Common symptoms include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things others don’t), delusions (false, paranoid beliefs), and disorganized thinking or speech.

One of the most well-known of these disorders is Schizophrenia. Sometimes, this disorder occurs with a mood disorder to become schizoaffective disorder. The exact causes of psychotic disorders remain undetermined. However, research shows that genetics, brain chemistry and structure, and environmental factors (like stress) play a prominent role in its occurrence.

Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders

Trauma & stressor-related disorders arise from stressful or traumatic events. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one common type of disorders developing after experiencing severe trauma. Common PTSD symptoms are flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts after the events.

Another example of these disorders is Acute Stress Disorder. This disorder is similar to PTSD, but it happens immediately after the traumatic incident and lasts for a shorter period. Most stress-related conditions happen because of significant life changes or incidents and can lead to anxiety and mood disorders.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders usually make the affected individual have persistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors significantly different from usual. A person with personality disorders is prone to stress and may be unable to function appropriately in society. While the exact causes of these disorders remain unclear, research has shown that genetics, environment (childhood abuse and trauma), and neurobiological factors play a significant role in the development of these disorders.

Personality disorders fall into three clusters based on their descriptive similarities. Cluster A deals with eccentric disorders that make the affected person incapable of forming close or social relationships due to distrust or acute discomfort. Examples of cluster A personality disorders are Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, and Paranoid Personality Disorder.

Cluster B personality disorders focus on disorders that cause the individual to display dramatic or erratic behaviors. The person either shows no emotions (no empathy) after an emotion-worthy incident or overreacts. Some examples are Antisocial Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Lastly, Cluster C personality disorders are fearful or anxious disorders that make the individual feel inadequate, overly sensitive, or clingy (Avoidant Personality Disorder and Dependent Personality Disorder). Sometimes, this disorder may cause the person to want to be in control, always striving for perfection, as in the case of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.

Treatment and Management of Psychiatric Disorders

Managing psychiatric disorders requires a specially tailored and multifaceted approach. The most common treatment methods are:

• Psychotherapy helps to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. These therapies also encourage and advise the person on improving interpersonal relationships and thought patterns.
• Medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, stimulants, and mood stabilizers can help manage most disorders.
• Psychoeducation involves educating the patient and their families on the nature of the disorder and how they can manage the symptoms better.
• Positive lifestyle changes can help to manage the symptoms of some disorders.
• Support groups where affected persons can share experiences and coping techniques.
• Hospitalization and Rehabilitation are necessary when the patient becomes a risk to themselves and those around them.

Communication Disabilities

Communication disabilities encompass a range of disorders and conditions affecting a person’s ability to understand or exchange information. These modes of communication are not restricted to speech but also cover nonverbal communication and gestures.

These disabilities are present at birth, accompanying neurological disorders like cerebral palsy. Other times, these conditions surface later in life due to injury (brain trauma), genetic disorders (Down syndrome), or degenerative conditions (Parkinson’s disease). Most of these causes are permanent developments, but sometimes, communication disabilities may be developmental delays, especially in children.

Speech Disorders

Speech disorders are impairments that affect the production and fluency of speech. These disorders happen in different forms and can affect speech or voice quality. The most common speech disorder is stuttering. A stutter is bound to experience an interruption in their speech flow. These interruptions can be repeated or prolonged sounds or blocks.

Other examples include voice disorders (which affect voice pitch, volume, or quality), articulation disorders (which hinder the appropriate pronunciation of sounds), and speech apraxia (which makes it challenging to plan and coordinate speech movements).

Language Disorders

Language disorders hamper one’s ability to comprehend or communicate in a language. This category usually involves language form, semantics, and function. These aspects cover syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics.

Language disorders fall into different subcategories: Expressive Language Disorder, Receptive Language Disorder, and Pragmatic Language Disorder.

Expressive and Receptive LDs are opposite sides of a coin. While the former focuses on the challenges of forming words and sentences, the latter focuses on understanding spoken language. Pragmatic LD, also known as Social Communication Disorder, focuses on the challenges of using the appropriate language in fitting social scenarios. This encompasses the usage and understanding of humor, sarcasm, and figures of speech.

Hearing Disorders

Hearing disorders are closely related to auditory sensory disorders in that they cover a range of mild to severe deafness. The significant difference is that hearing disorders may occur in auditory processing disorders, where the brain cannot process auditory information, even when hearing is normal.

Cognitive-Communication Disorders

Cognitive Communication disorders are impairments that hinder communication due to trauma to the part of the brain responsible for attention, memory, and problem-solving. These traumatic experiences can be accidents that lead to brain injuries, stroke, or degenerative diseases. Sometimes, the causes of cognitive-communication disorders could be biological (abnormal brain development or exposure to harmful substances like drugs or lead).

Possible symptoms of this disorder include abnormal sleep cycles, decline in established language skills, and memory problems.

Treatment and Management of Communication Disorders

With communication disorders, time is of the essence. Employing the services of a speech-language pathologist goes a long way to assist a person suffering from any of these disabilities. Depending on the specific type of disability, therapy can help the person work on speech sounds, voice regulation, language development, and social communication skills.

Another effective system is Augmentative and Alternative Communication. This system uses different technologies like picture boards or sophisticated computerized devices to help affected persons express themselves and communicate with others.

References

• California Courts. Understanding psychiatric disabilities. https://www.courts.ca.gov/partners/documents/psych_dis.pdf
• Boston University, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. (2023). What are psychiatric & mental health conditions?. https://cpr.bu.edu/resources-and-information/reasonable-accommodations/what-are-psychiatric-and-mental-health-conditions/
• Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Personality disorders: Overview. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9636-personality-disorders-overview
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Communication Disorders. https://www.asha.org/policy/rp1993-00208/#:~:text=A%20communication%20disorder%20is%20an,severity%20from%20mild%20to%20profound.
• Medical News Today. (2019, February 20). Communication disorders: Types, symptoms, and diagnosis. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/communication-disorders#types
• Masters in Communications. (n.d.). Everything you need to know about communication disorders. https://www.mastersincommunications.org/everything-about-communication-disorders/