Living with hidden disabilities

Monique Fenton on how her physical and mental health conditions affect her daily life

Living with a hidden disability doesn’t just affect our bodies – it can affect our mental health in ways that are often invisible to others.

On the outside, I may look fine. But beneath that, I am managing conditions including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromyalgia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and widespread arthritis, which cause chronic pain, fatigue, and limitations that shape every part of my day.

There are times when I cannot leave the house, not because I don’t want to, but because my body won’t allow it. Over time, that leads to isolation – and isolation has a profound impact on mental wellbeing.

Alongside this, I live with depression, anxiety, complex post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks. These don’t exist separately from my physical health – they interact with it.

When my mental health is low, I can find it almost impossible to do the very things that help support my physical wellbeing, such as going out for walks, exercise, preparing healthy meals, or even basic self-care. It becomes a vicious cycle that is hard to break.

What makes this harder is that my disabilities cannot be seen. Even when I explain them, the lack of

visible evidence can lead to disbelief or people simply forgetting. So, like many others, I mask; pushing through so I don’t inconvenience others.

But carrying it all quietly takes its toll.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, I ask this: please don’t assume that someone is ‘fine’ just because they look it. Believe people when they share their experiences. A little more understanding,

patience and compassion can make a meaningful difference to those of us living with hidden disabilities.

Groups like Empowering Disability in Enfield (EDIE) are helping to create spaces where people with lived experience can feel seen, heard and less alone.

Get in touch with EDIE:
Email [email protected]

This article is published with support from LocalMotion Enfield, part of a UK-wide movement for community-led change

LocalMotion Enfield is part of a UK-wide movement for community-led change – we're proud to partner with Enfield Dispatch to share local voices and stories

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