Is bipolar a disability?

A disability is defined under the Equality Act as:

A ‘physical or mental impairment’ which has a ‘substantial and long-term adverse effect’ on an individual’s ‘ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.

Bipolar will be considered a disability under the Act if it satisfies this definition, which is sometimes different to common perceptions of disability.

Find more information about how the Equality Act can help and support you in our Employees' guide to bipolar and employment