Deafblindness and mental wellbeing

Whether you are coping with a new diagnosis or you have been living with sensory loss for years, a lot of people find that it affects the way they feel.

What you might be feeling:  

•  Low or depressed
• Shock, that your lifestyle might change
• Anxiety about what the future holds
• Sadness that you might not be able to do the things you enjoy
• Stress, from trying to do everyday activities that are now harder and slower 
• Loss of identity and self-worth.

It is normal to feel sad when you no longer have the sight and hearing that you are used to and when you know that this will change aspects of your life. It is important to know that this is all completely normal and that you should seek support if you are finding things difficult.

Why you might be feeling like this: 

Lack of control

It is difficult to know that you cannot control any changes to your sight and hearing and the impact that this might have on your lifestyle.

Change 

It can be hard to cope with change. Living with deafblindness means that many parts of your life are likely to change regularly. This might be small things, like using a larger font or big things, like having to stop driving or work.

Coping strategies  

You are likely to have already developed some coping strategies, even if you’re not aware of them. Deafblindness is often an ever-changing process and you may have to constantly develop and adapt your coping strategies. Sometimes these adjustments are minor (like using your screen reader more) and sometimes they’re bigger (like learning to lip read).

Resilience 

The constant need to adapt and adjust, mixed with the emotional impact of sensory loss can affect your body’s ability to bounce back. This can leave you feeling exhausted, so it is important to listen to your body and take care of yourself.

What helps? 

Know that you’re not alone!

It often helps to meet other people in your position. Even if you don’t want to socialise with these people, it is useful to know that it’s not just you and that many others are going through the same thing.

Find products to help you 

There are a lot of products and technologies on the market which are designed to make things easier for you. You may find it reassuring to know what’s out there and how it could help you either now or in the future.

Learn about communication  

There are lots of different ways of communicating so you might find it reassuring to explore these different methods. You may never need to use them, but some people find it comforting to know that there are options.

Remember you’re you!

Deafblindness is not who you are – it’s just a part of what makes you you! It doesn’t need to identify you if you don’t want it to.

For further advice, information or emotional support, contact Deafblind UK

Tel: 0800 132320

Text: 07903572885

Text relay: 18001 then 0800 132320