Is Bipolar Disorder a Disability?

by J.O.L.
(Monterey)

Bipolar Disorder is a debilitating affliction and is considered a disability due in part to the severity, varity and unpreditcability of how bipolar disorder may affect a person's ability to fuction as a "normal" employee / employer or a productive member of society.

Episodes displayed in people with bipolar disorder generally manifest themselves through a period of depression or mania.

Business may be disrupted by the person's uncontrolled actions, and be harmful to self, co-workers and customers, yet often the possibility that the disruptive person may have bipolar disorder is never considered.

An episode of depression can lead to confusion, inability to follow instructions and an unexpected dramatic change in demeanor along with other unforeseen changes that affect everyone in the work place.

In manic episodes it may be impossible to conduct oneself as a "normal" employee/employer or conduct oneself in a way that conforms to a standard professional manner. mania often manifests in grandiosity such as a "know it all attitude", for example taking on tasks not assigned and displaying an attitude of superiority to co-workers and management.

These problems will lead to discord in the workplace and force some kind of action - possibly help but very often ternimation. The termination of employment may in itself trigger a person with bipolar disorder to make destructive, negative, or even life threatening decisions.

When considered, such events and the inability of a person with bipolar disorder to function as a dependable emplyee leads me to conclude that this disease can definitey qualify as a disability.