Your rights at work
Bipolar disorder usually counts as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, because it has a long-term effect and episodes are likely to come back. Your employer must consider reasonable adjustments, such as:
- flexible hours, and avoiding night shifts if they disrupt your sleep
- time off for appointments
- a phased return after an episode
- an agreed plan for what to do if your warning signs appear
Access to Work offers a free Mental Health Support Service.
Driving
You may need to tell the DVLA about bipolar disorder, especially if you have been unwell or your medicine affects your driving. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Benefits
PIP is based on how bipolar affects you on most days, so describe the pattern over the whole year, including episodes and the time it takes to recover. It can affect:
- managing money: needing help because of impulsive spending in hypomania or poor concentration in depression
- managing treatment: needing reminders or supervision to take medicine
- preparing food, washing and dressing: needing prompting during depression
- mixing with other people and planning journeys: needing support because of distress or risk
PIP points self-check
Go through the 12 PIP activities one at a time and see roughly how many points may apply to you.
About 10 minutes. Your answers never leave your device.
If you cannot work because of your health, you may be able to get Universal Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance. If you are in a mental health crisis and in debt, ask a debt adviser about the Breathing Space scheme.
Sources we used
- GOV.UK, Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
- GOV.UK, Access to Work
- GOV.UK, Bipolar disorder and driving
- GOV.UK, Personal Independence Payment
We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.