Disability and Mental Health
Today Ellie from Deafie Blogger talks to us about mental health alongside disability. Ellie is a profoundly deaf blogger and deaf activist who is passionate about deaf awareness and campaigning for deaf people and who's motto is: ‘Deaf people can achieve anything they dream of, given the right support’.
For us who have a disability, we usually think about our physical health. Whether we are deaf (like me), blind, autistic, have cerebral palsy or any other disability, we might focus more on how our disability affects us physically or in a sensory way, for example; whether we can hear, see, walk or talk etc and how that disability affects what we can or can't do.
We might not always consider our mental health and how our disability might affect us mentally or emotionally. Learning to understand our mental health is very important. We all want to be happy in life, but this isn't always easy if we have a disability which makes life difficult, if we feel different to others, if others don't understand or if we are in pain.
It is helpful for all of us to look after our mental health, especially if life can at times feel really stressful. Many people can experience mental health problems at some point in their life such as depression or anxiety. Understanding our mental health is really important for keeping ourselves well.
There are lots of simple things we can all do to improve our mental health and wellbeing:
Being in touch with our feelings:
This might sound quite strange, but we might not always understand our emotions, why we feel as we do. Learning to recognise different feelings such as anger, sadness, frustration, loneliness etc. For example if we feel angry, it might help to talk this through with someone we trust, the feeling might then make more sense to us.
Taking time out:
Some days we might feel as though everything is getting on top of us or we can't cope. Stress can have such a negative effect on our wellbeing, so occasionally we might just need to take a few minutes 'out' to just sit, relax and just concentrate on the here and now. If I find life getting too stressful, I'll just take a few minutes out to chill and look after myself or to get out in the fresh air.
Listen to our senses:
You might think this is a strange thing for a deaf person to say, but what I mean is you’re having a bad day, just taking some time to just concentrate on what you can see, hear, touch, taste and smell if you are able, it might just be enough to stop any troubling thoughts or worries in your head. Being able to just 'be' is a good tool to have.
Lots of little things:
Looking after our mental health doesn't have to involve big changes or having huge goals. Small, but significant steps are usually far better to improve our wellbeing. Sitting in the sunshine, eating an orange instead of having a fizzy drink, singing in the shower or dancing along to our favourite song can all help our feel good factor. A good skill to have is to learn to be kind to ourselves.
Our disabilities might not allow us to do everything we would like, so there are no hard and fast rules, what might work for one, might not another, it is important to do the things which work best for you, to identify little things which make you happy, which mean something to you.
It's good to remember that although living with a disability gives us more challenges, if we can be more mindful of our mental health, then this might help us to live happier lives.
Have you found that disability has had an effect on your mental health? How have you dealt with this? Do you think there is enough support for disabled people and mental health? Share your experiences now.
Replies
The simplest thing for me to do is to 'run away'. Either I sleep as much as possible or I visit women I pay for just to feel close to the world for a little while. Neither option is sustainable long term and, at the moment, isn't coping.
I have found talking and explaining so much makes me feel worse which is why I stopped calling Samaritans. It's better talking to someone who has some idea of what I'm going through already. I should try therapy again but NHS support is minimal and I just cannot make the effort to arrange it privately.
TK
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I know it is polite to look into someone's face when you talk to them, especially if you are a man talking to a woman. I HAVE to do it so that I can fill in blanks in the conversation by lip-reading. Unfortunately accents, which I have always had trouble with, give me even more problems now as the lip movements are different.
The trouble with ANY disability or difficulty tends to isolate you and can accentuate MH issues.
TK
I know this wont solve everything but perhaps it could help?
Also if you need any support regarding your ESA appeal then please do ask our benefits advisors or you can call our helpline on 0808 800 3333.
Senior online community officer
Senior online community officer
For myself it is a real battle to deal with strangers and strange places and, because of my history, it is at it's worst when dealing with doctors. I used to be a healthy and very outgoing sort of person and I find it so difficult to understand why I now have this problem. It can trigger panic attacks, in my case, which leave me shaking and crying and just trying to get away from whatever made it worse. However, knowing what causes it allows me to avoid the worst situations and make it possible for me to function relatively normally most of the time. There are times though when I can't, no matter how hard I try. For example, I was improving by meeting people through the MEETUP site but lately I have avoided going to the stuff I intended to because I haven't been able to cope.
Anyway, that's enough waffle about me, perhaps you can open up a little more so we can help you better?
TK
know we all have but it's how my brain works.
I think because of being on my own for most of the time in regards to my CP I think I have worried about it so much I have taken it to the extreme so any noticeable changes to my health freaks me out and I going to panic which then triggers the anxiety. You mentioned Meet up groupsI think that would be really good for me but there's nothing in my area. What meet up group have you been to?
The site is "meetup.com". I hope it's ok to put this here.
TK
Senior online community officer
Have a look at your GP surgery, library or local community centres to see what is local.
Senior online community officer
TK
I am 46. In part a success story - nobody I have ever met in mental health wards wants to die.
TK
I know reading you post how tough and how much of a struggle life is at the moment.
Please can I say you are important, not others at the moment.
Please can I ask what support are you receiving, I notice you have a partner, maybe he needs to see what is troubling you. It is not easy I know talking to some one who is in a relationship, who does not understand your pain and heart break. I can feel it
I am sorry about the relationship with your daughter, that is important mother daughter relationship that matters. What matter right now is you. If your daughter is unreachable, time is a healer.
Please try to ask yourself what do you want from life. All of us in the community understand your issues and problems.
Make some goals for yourself small steps that is the start. Nothing huge, nothing unreachable.
Make each day do some thing for you whether it is small or just simple. My day starts with prayers for all those I have met on the forum, plus in my thoughts. Then Classic FM. Small changes like that has helped me, to try to get motivated
Also my food good food nothing hard or complex. I believe a good start to the day Breakfast I know with illness or mental health struggle to eat, maintain a lifestyle. I make time for me, no TV Radio is on. Calms me relaxes me.
I use a diary may I suggest plan little things for your self. I need a structure for the day, put in will do this to day but no time. Example Breakfast well who says early morning, I have mine around 10.30 to 11 am. More like brunch a relaxed affair.
Been doing meals for the freezer see my posts. These are little meals my portions for the freezer, usually in Zipbags to help me through the week and beyond.
Sorry about me talking about food I am the Spiceman. Little changes to your life. Please can I suggest have a look at lifestyle course, well being course if and when you are ready.
I have been like you a suffer of anxiety and depression mine was related to my addiction history, alcoholic for thirty years. Went to many of these course after coming out of clinic. small changes to diet and look at fitness. Clean next month for eleven years.
It helped me looking why and who I am. Got loads of qualifications through doing them. By way that was twenty years ago plus. Still look out for anything to improve me, mentally lifestyle. Small steps.
Please can I also suggest some of these course there will be one probably near you. Recovery College or similar names have course to deal with mental health issues, disability, how to manage meds. Some of them are all women courses. Most of all that they understand you.
It is your choice your life these are little ideas that helped, in my quest to know why am I like this being this person.
I use this forum to chat talk listen to people on the community.
I have made many friends and hope you will understand, I am here to listen.
I am here to listen and talk about anything you like, any subject theme topic
See my posts.
Sorry for long posts, just I am putting out the hand of friendship.
You are in my prayers
Take care
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I am sorry about losing a family member. I understand it can be a trauma. Maybe you need to some times to talk about that. There are services out there and I know that could help you.
I had councilling and therapy for my own illness. It helps and can benefit yourself. Maybe consider have a look. Remember there is nothing wrong in talking to some one who unlocks any thing you wish to say.
The services are very good. My own personal history talking to a professional who is impartial. I will say was useful. No one expects to go through life with out a problem or an issue.
Please yes have a look at anything I have suggested, By way am not good in Winter too. So my days do something like as I said before candles with homeopathic oils with a burner. I use Lavender now and again. Yes it cold and wet, snowy out side.
Puzzles word searches I do. TV off Radio on or like to night Soul Saturday so CD's with my favourite soul songs.
I am the one who buys all those cheesy groovy sixties compilations of songs no one buys that's me. Plus anything Northern Soul or Motown helps me to wind down or just keeps me ticking a long. Do not cost much either. I am back on the dance floor again.
Plan for something now if you like. Have a look on the forum for ideas. As I said nothing big small steps.
I understand you in pain I know speaking personally, I have muscle pain , but it is how it is effecting you that is important right now.
Please can I ask do you have a garden or a balcony small area in your house. Look at herbs many of them are not for culinary use. Do not need much room.
Easy to grow, scented not hard work. I have problems with my hands feet, fingers missing have not much strength. I can plant herbs though. Out in the fresh air not long about ten minutes maybe.
Try to make some time to come on the forum I will look out for you. As I do for all my friends on the forum, helps with ideas, suggestion, useful information.
Please I hope to speak to you soon.
Take care in my thoughts and prayers.
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes