ADA & Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects a person's moods, energy and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its subsequent amendments have been enacted into law in the US to protect the rights of persons suffering from bipolar disorder in a number of ways.

History

• The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted into law in 1990, according to the US General Services Administration. The ADA initially did not include bipolar disorder as a legally viable disability. However, by passing the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA) into law, Congress expanded the definition of the term "disability" to include various mental health conditions-- including bipolar disorder.

Function

• The ADA (as amended in 2008 by the ADAAA) functions to help those with bipolar disorder cope more effectively with their day-to-day lives. The law accomplishes this by offering "a broad scope of protection" against discrimination in the workplace, as well as allowing eligibility for disability benefits for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, states the General Services Administration.

Effects

• The ADA is a vital piece of legislation for those with bipolar disorder, since the effects of bipolar disorder can make it difficult for a person suffering from the condition to function at home and in the workplace alike. According to NIMH, bipolar disorder's symptoms are grouped into two areas: manic and depressive. Effects of manic episodes may include impulsive or risky behavior, "jumping" between many ideas at once, irritability and patterns of little sleep. The depressive side of bipolar can produce symptoms such as excessive and persistent worry, loss of interest in daily activities and suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide.

Benefits

• The ADA's legal definition of a disability is especially beneficial to those with bipolar disorder. According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the amended ADA partially defines the term disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." Since bipolar disorder seriously affects people's ability to work, the ADA is of vital importance to those with the disorder. It ensures people with bipolar disorder rights at work and, in serious cases, provides them with disability benefits if they are unable to work due to their condition.

Significance

• Bipolar disorder is not a temporary brain condition--it usually lasts throughout a person's lifetime, according to NIMH. With the ADA and the subsequent enactment of the ADAAA into law, people suffering from bipolar disorder have a hand from the federal government--one that goes a long way toward helping them cope with day-to-day matters and lead better lives.