The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm | July 23, 2025 | Personal Injury

What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?

Living with a disability can make even simple tasks frustratingly difficult. Whether it’s a sudden injury or a lifelong condition, knowing the most common disabilities can help individuals recognize symptoms, seek support, and plan for the future.

1. Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States. 

Conditions that fall into this category include:

  • Arthritis
  • Back injuries
  • Joint problems

These conditions often cause chronic pain and limit mobility, making it hard to work or perform day-to-day activities. Car accidents and workplace injuries are frequent causes of musculoskeletal disabilities.

2. Mood Disorders

Mental health plays a major role in disability claims. 

Notable mood disorders include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

These conditions can hamper concentration, motivation, and social interactions, making it difficult to hold a job or maintain relationships with others.

3. Nervous System Disorders

Neurological disabilities arise due to problems in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. 

Muscle weakness, tremors, and cognitive difficulties are potential symptoms of disorders like:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s disease

These conditions impact millions of Americans each year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

4. Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual disabilities include conditions like Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and other developmental disorders. These disabilities can affect a person’s ability to learn, solve problems, and communicate effectively, often requiring lifelong support.

5. Circulatory System Disorders

Circulatory disorders can present as fatigue, shortness of breath, and limited physical capacity. Examples include:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart failure
  • Stroke

After a serious event like a stroke, many people struggle to return to work or care for themselves.

6. Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders can cause hallucinations, delusions, and radical mood swings. Symptoms like these often make it challenging for individuals to function independently or safely in the workplace and require lifelong treatment to manage effectively. 

7. Respiratory Disorders

Common respiratory ailments include:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Asthma
  • Cystic fibrosis

These disabilities can reduce a person’s capacity to perform physical tasks or work in certain environments that put strain on their lungs.

8. Chronic Pain

Persistent pain from conditions like fibromyalgia can be debilitating. Chronic pain isn’t always visible to others, but it can make simple activities like sitting, walking, or lifting intolerable and result in diminished quality of life.

9. Cancer

Cancer can qualify as a disability, especially if the disease or its treatment causes lasting side effects that impact the individual’s life. Tumors that affect vital organs or aggressive treatments like chemotherapy can leave survivors with permanent impairments. 

10. Sensory Impairments

Vision and hearing loss are the most common types of sensory impairments. These types of disabilities can make communication, movement, and daily living tasks difficult and risky without adaptive tools or assistance.

Other Conditions to Consider

It’s important to understand that many other conditions can also cause disability or interfere with daily life. Recognizing these issues early can open doors to treatment, accommodations, and support. 

Here are a few other conditions worth noting:

Detecting these conditions early can help you or someone you love get the right care and resources.

Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for Help Today

Disabilities don’t define who someone is, but they can impact how that person lives, works, and interacts with the world. Learning about the most common disabilities enables people to plan, advocate for themselves, and find the help they need.

Whether a disability comes from a serious injury, a chronic illness, or a condition present from birth, knowing about these challenges makes it possible to seek support and live life to the fullest.

For more information, please contact our experienced Personal Injury attorneys at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today. We have two convenient locations in Manassas, VA and Fairfax, VA.

The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Manassas
9208 Lee Ave, First Floor, Manassas, VA, 20110
(571) 229-1800
Open 24/7

Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Manassas
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.7523907,-77.5566859

The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Fairfax
4000 Legato Rd #1100, Fairfax, VA, 22033
(571) 200-5424
Open 24/7

Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Fairfax
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.8657713,-77.3652474