Around 1.3 billion people around the world experience significant disability. Some disabling conditions are congenital, meaning they’re present from birth, but others are the result of accidents and other forms of trauma. Learn more about the top 10 disabilities and why they occur. If you need the help of an Atlanta personal injury attorney, don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation.
1. Mental Disorders
Of people receiving Social Security Disability benefits, 34.4% do so because of mental disorders.
These conditions include:
- Depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Intellectual disabilities
- Anxiety disorders
- Neurocognitive disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder, which can occur after a car accident, assault, or other traumatic experience, also fits into this category of disability.
2. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders impact joints, bones, tissues, and muscles.
Common disorders include:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic back pain
- Spinal disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Fractures
- Burns
These conditions tend to be the most common reason for workers’ compensation claims.
3. Nervous System Disorders
These disorders impact the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nervous system. Spinal cord and brain injuries belong in this category, but so do vision or hearing loss. Nervous system disorders can lead to motor and sensory impairments.
4. Circulatory System Issues
Diseases that impact the circulatory system can damage blood vessels and the heart. Heart disease and stroke are circulatory system diseases, and they encompass conditions like arrhythmias, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease.
5. Injuries
Suffering an injury could result in disabilities. These tend to occur as a result of assaults, recreational activities, and accidents. Injuries that cause long-term impairment are considered catastrophic and can include brain and spinal cord damage. The most common causes of disabling injuries are car accidents, falls, and workplace accidents.
6. Tumors
Tumors and neoplasms, both malignant and benign, can result in disabilities — especially if they affect vital organs like the brain, liver, or heart. The tumors themselves may not be disabling, but the treatments could be if you require surgery or chemotherapy.
7. Respiratory Diseases
Common respiratory diseases that could result in disabilities include:
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cystic fibrosis
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Many of these conditions can develop after exposure to substances in the environment or from behavioral choices like smoking. If they’re severe enough, respiratory diseases can make everyday tasks impossible.
8. Nutritional, Endocrine, and Metabolic Diseases
These are conditions that impact your metabolism and hormones. The most common is diabetes, which could result in vision loss, nerve damage, and, in the most severe cases, the amputation of extremities. Obesity, Addison’s disease, and thyroid disorders are other conditions that fit in this category.
9. Rare Disorders
There are numerous rare conditions that impact life so significantly that the people who suffer from them apply for Social Security Disability benefits. These conditions often require specialized care. Hairy cell leukemia is considered a rare disorder, as is Paget’s disease.
10. Reproductive and Urinary System Disorders
Common conditions that impact the reproductive and urinary system and which can be debilitating include kidney disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and polycystic renal disease. These conditions can cause severe pain, urinary issues, and the need for dialysis.
Getting Assistance if You Suffer From a Disability
If you suffered a disabling injury in an accident, were exposed to dangerous substances at work or home, or suffered injuries because of a defective product, you may have the right to file claims for compensation as well as a claim to receive assistance from the government. An attorney can help you understand what the right option is, depending on your unique case.
