Invisible Doesn’t Mean Imaginary: The Daily Realities of Hidden Disabilities

Posted on02/06/2025by Shirley Appleby

By Shirley Appleby

We’re often taught to believe what we see.
But when it comes to disability, that belief leaves a lot of people behind.

There’s a dangerous myth that if someone “looks fine,” they must be fine. That if they can smile, work, or show up in the world, they’re coping just fine.

But invisible doesn’t mean imaginary.
It means layered.
It means misunderstood.
And all too often, it means unsupported.

What are hidden disabilities?

Hidden disabilities (sometimes called “invisible” disabilities) include a wide range of physical, neurological, sensory, and mental health conditions that may not be obvious to others.

These might include:

• Neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia

• Chronic health conditions like fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, POTS, or diabetes

• Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD

• Sensory issues, speech disorders, cognitive challenges, and more

The one thing they share?
They often go unseen, and because of that, they are too often unbelieved.

The cost of being invisible

Students and professionals living with hidden disabilities often feel like they’re constantly walking a tightrope:

• Do I explain and risk being judged?

• Do I say nothing and risk not coping?

• Will I be taken seriously?

• Will I have to prove it, again?

I’ve worked with hundreds of people who’ve been told:

• “You don’t look disabled.”

• “You managed yesterday, so why not today?”

• “Maybe you’re just anxious.”

• “We all get tired.”

This kind of dismissal doesn’t just create frustration, it creates real harm.
It fuels imposter syndrome, delays support, and teaches people to mask, push, or perform their way through pain and overwhelm.

Support starts with believing

One of the simplest, most powerful things any professional can do is to believe the person in front of them.

You don’t need to see a walking aid, a medical report, or a meltdown to validate someone’s experience.
You can start with:

• “Thank you for telling me that.”

• “What does support look like for you?”

• “Is today a high-capacity day or a low-capacity one?”

Support isn’t just about the big interventions.
It’s about creating a space where people don’t have to fight to be understood.

Reasonable adjustments shouldn’t require visible evidence

We don’t ask students with broken legs to prove they’re still in pain each week.
We don’t tell someone with a visible disability that their needs vary too much to plan for.

And yet, for those with fluctuating or invisible conditions, the burden of proof often never ends.

If you’re a DSA assessor, a tutor, a workplace coach or an inclusion lead, please remember:

• A quiet room might mean the difference between panic and participation.

• A deadline extension might mean the difference between collapse and completion.

• A willingness to adapt might mean the difference between someone dropping out and someone rising up.

Final thoughts: Let’s stop equating visibility with validity

Disability doesn’t always look how you expect it to.
Pain doesn’t always show.
Struggle doesn’t always speak.

But every day, people with hidden disabilities are navigating systems not designed for them and still showing up with strength you don’t always see.

Let’s make it easier.

Want to go deeper?
I offer training, coaching and consultancy for professionals supporting people with hidden or complex needs. Learn about the services I offer