Bipolar disorder is a major psychological disorder that is prevalent among many individuals across the globe. This means that a person can have both manic and depressive moods. Another question that many people ask is whether bipolar disorder is a permanent disability or not.
Indeed, in this article, we will answer this question, explaining what bipolar disorder really is, how the ailment impacts people with this condition, does bipolar qualify for disability, is bipolar long-term disability, can you get disability for bipolar or not, and lastly what is Bipolar disability act.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that directly affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. These shifts can be from being in an extremely high or ‘up’ state of mind (manic episodes) to an extremely low or ‘down’ state of mind (depressive episodes). Such Dramatic mood alterations can be extreme and are bound to interfere with the normal functioning of an individual’s daily activities.
There are different types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I Disorder: characterized by cycles of high levels of energy and activity followed by severe low periods for at least one week, usually needing hospitalization.
- Bipolar II Disorder: Describes a cycle involving at least two depressive episodes and periods of milder mania called hypomania but not the highs of Bipolar I.
- Cyclothymic Disorder: Characterized by hypomanic episodes that are followed or preceded by depressive episodes that last for a total of at least two years but are not classified as manic or severe depressive episodes.
Read More: Bipolar Disorder – Symptoms, Causes, Types and Treatment
Is Bipolar Disorder Treatable?
Bipolar Disorder is a long-term condition or chronic as it is referred to nowadays. As it stands today, no one can claim to have the perfect solution to this bipolar problem, but many people with this disorder have been treated satisfactorily. It always involves the use of drugs, counseling, and alteration in daily living habits. Most individuals with bipolar disorder can be normal, happy, and accomplished in case their bipolar disorder is well managed. However, one has to wonder whether it can be considered a permanent disability since, technically, it cannot be cured.
What Is A Disability?
In the next section, it is essential to define what a disability is before proceeding to argue whether bipolar disorder qualifies as a permanent disability. In other words, disability is a reduced capacity to encounter events, roles, surroundings, or personal circumstances, primarily excluding work or employment activity.
A disability may be a physical disability, such as blindness or mobility impairment, or mental disability, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The disability can be temporary or permanent, depending on the disability condition of the patient.
Read More: Bipolar vs Schizophrenia: What’s The Deal With Them?
Bipolar disorder: Is it a Disability?
The determination of bipolar disorder as a disability or otherwise will depend on the extent to which the condition impacts the capacity to perform tasks. In other individuals, bipolar disorder is mild, and the patients can easily control them through the right medication. Such people may be able to go to work, sustain relationships, and manage to live a near-to-normal life.
Bipolar disorder may be mild for some people and more severe for others, and it interferes with daily functioning. For instance, a client who gets episodes of severe mania or severe depression along with anxiety often may lose their job, lack close friends, or even fail in personal responsibilities. In such cases, bipolar disorder would be considered to be disabling because the person is not able to live a normal life.
Can Bipolar Disorder be Said to be a Permanent Disability?
There is even more confusion surrounding its permanency: Is bipolar disorder a permanent disability? It depends on several factors:
- Severity of the Condition: As we discussed, some of the symptoms are relatively mild in some bipolar disorder patients who can manage it with medical help. In those cases, the concern cannot be regarded as a permanent disability of any kind or nature. However, where an individual presents symptoms that are monumental and do not bode well despite treatment, then bipolar disorder is considered a permanent disability.
- Response to Treatment: Most depressed patients with bipolar disorder exhibit a good prognosis whereby they can lead normal lives after taking the necessary treatment. Depending on this, there will be an improvement in the cases of some patients, but there will be deterioration in other patients as the days go on. In those who can find no response to the treatment, the condition becomes chronic and may greatly limit the patient’s functioning.
- Impact on Daily Life: If bipolar disorder substantially impairs a person’s ability to work, be involved in social activities, or manage the provision of their care needs, then bipolar disorder can be classified as a permanent disability.
Read More: Is Bipolar disorder genetic?
What Law Defines Disability?
Bipolar disorder is deemed a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if it prevents an individual from carrying out one or more major life tasks, including working or relating with others.
Also, bipolar patients may apply for SSDI or SSI, provided the disability hampers them physically and mentally from employment or related pursuits for at least a year. For them to gain Disability benefits, they need to provide a doctor’s report on how their ailment hinders them from working or performing basic tasks.
What Should Patients with Bipolar Disorder Do?
Bipolar disorder may be difficult, but most clients go through a lot of improvements and go on to live normally. Here are some strategies for managing bipolar disorder:
- Medication: Lithium and valproate are mood stabilizers, lasix antipsychotics for reducing psychosis signs, and bupropion and mirtazapine are antidepressants used in bipolar disorder. It is thus necessary to have a word with a doctor and come up with an ideal dosage plan for the medications.
- Therapy: Psychotherapy, which is preferably cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as other counseling interventions, can assist in managing its emotional outcome.
- Therapy: Psychotherapy for bipolar includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, and other treatments that assist people to overcome feelings that go along with patients with bipolar such feelings include mood swings.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Healthy exercising, good nutrition, and sound sleeping patterns play an important role in stabilizing emotions and better human health.
- Support Networks: According to personal experience, one needs family members, friends, or support groups are essential in helping to cope with bipolar disorder.
- Monitoring Triggers: Informing a patient’s care team about some mood switches and learning to look for certain cues (like stress, lack of sleep, or certain life events) may help avoid episodes or make them less severe.
Read More: Bipolar Disorder in Children
Conclusion: Is Bipolar Disorder Characterized As a Permanent Disability?
Discriminating bipolar disorder from a mental illness disability makes it necessary to consider some factors when answering the question of whether bipolar disorder is a permanent disability. Some people with bipolar disorder may show comparatively little dysfunction in their lives if they get proper treatment on time. In others, the disorder produces chronic deficits that incapacitate for duty or daily living and, therefore, can be categorized as a chronic disability.
Finally, bipolar disorder is a multi-faceted illness, and everyone reacts to it in tremendously different ways. Bipolar disorder requires medical attention, taking prescriptions, and assembling a good support network if one has the condition or knows someone who does. If you are looking for a reliable telepsychiatry option to get clarity about the most common question Is bipolar disorder a permanent disability, then now is the ideal time for you to get in touch with Solid Foundation Psychiatry.