Physical Disability Goes Hand in Hand with Mental Illness

The word disability is ironically in itself a challenge added to people with a physical disability because of the stigma that society attaches to the word itself and consequently to the people themselves. Whether people are born with a physical disability or have attained one over time, the potential for the individual to develop a mental illness remains the same. Individuals with a physical disability struggle to keep up with developmental norms, from graduating from kindergarten with their peers to having a family of their own. This is where the policies of the social welfare state come into use; to protect and help individuals who are in need of guidance through their personal struggles. Although there are policies that help protect from societies stigmas against people with a physical disability, the limitations put on these individuals runs deeper than the surface. 

It was found that amongst Canadian children between the ages of 5 and 14, approximately 155,000 or 4% of all children in this age group that have some form of activity limitation (Statistics Canada, 2008). McDougall et al. (2004) have found “children with activity-limiting conditions/impairments were significantly more likely to be socially isolated and have psychiatric disorders, low competence in recreational activities, and school difficulties compared to children without such health problems” (p. 36).  This statement is easy to understand because of the obvious challenges that children with physical disabilities will face when trying to accept their disability and be accepted by their peers. When a child is trying to understand that they are different from their peers they  can develop mental illnesses; this can come from the resentment of their own disability and the trauma that comes with not meeting societies norms at a tender age.

Children with a physical disability are likely to experience mental health conditions and learning disabilities, have missed school days, receive special education, visit health professionals, have been hospitalized, and used prescription medication (McDougall et al., 2004). These experiences that children with a physical disability endure in order to succeed in school and socialize with peers, shows in the limitations put on the child’s potential achievements and societies norms. Not only will these barriers hold back children with physical disabilities from keeping up with developmental norms in school, it will also affect the child’s mental development. Canadians who are born with a physical disability are likely to be happier than individuals who experienced the disability later in life (Statistics Canada, 2007). This shows that although children may have challenges keeping up with societies norms as they develop into adults, it can also help them learn to adapt to living with their physical disability.

            People with a physical disability are 5 times more likely than their nondisabled counterparts to be involuntarily unemployed (Turner, B. & Turner, J., 2004). When looking at this unjustified ratio, it gives a broader scope on the limitations put on individuals with a physical disability as adults. For individuals with a physical disability who already have a psychiatric disorder or have struggled with one as a child, the added stressor of being unemployed can amplify their mental illness. The psychiatric disorders among people with physical disabilities show a need for the social welfare state to provide guidance through their personal struggles.

            Rehabilitation efforts of individuals with a physical disability were well beyond the period of active rehabilitation efforts (Turner, B. & Turner, J., 2004). This shows that people with a physical disability are in need of more services to help recover from their physical disabilities limitations. Having more services available to people with physical disabilities will also give them an equal start in relation to their peers to be able to function in society. For adults with a physical disability getting counseling and having access to services is an opportunity for individuals who are showing signs of depression to get the help they need. Adults with a physical disability have social challenges and psychiatric challenges that intensify one another:

“The observation that persons with a physical disability are at increased risk for depression is presumably associated with the fact that physical disability implies a condition characterized by diminished capacity to perform social and occupational roles and, therefore, to meet personal needs and achieve related satisfactions” (Turner, B. & Turner, J., 2004, p. 247).

This statement, in a nutshell is trying to explain why people with a physical disability are at such a high risk of depression. People with a physical disability feel that their condition characterizes them as incapable of functioning as a self-sufficient member in society.

Overall all persons with a physical disability have a high risk of depression because of the stigma that society attaches to the word disability. Individuals who have a physical disability can feel that the condition they are in means that they cannot live up to their expected role in society. In hindsight this is not the case for persons with a physical disability, they are just as capable as their nondisabled counterparts when given job opportunities. The welfare state needs to provide more programs that enhance the sense of mastery that may well contribute directly toward decreased risk for depression (Turner, B. & Turner, J., 2004). When society thinks of the word disability they attach unrealistic limitations on to the individual; perhaps the language used to describe persons with a physical disability is in need of a revolution.

-Chandra B

References

McDougall, J., King, G., de Wit, D., Miller, L., Hong, S., Offord, Da., LaPorta, J., & Meyer, K. (2004). Chronic physical health conditions and disability among Canadian school-aged children: a national profile. Disability and Rehabilitation, 26 (1), 35–45.

Turner, B. & Turner, J. (2004). Physical Disability, Unemployment, and Mental Health. Rehabilitation Psychology, 49 (3), 241 – 249.

Statistics Canada. (2006). Study: Disability and well-being. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/060912/dq060912d-eng.htm

Statistics Canada. (2008). Children with disabilities and the educational system — a provincial perspective. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2007001/9631-eng.htm