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Facing legal issues for bi-polar patients Los Angeles CA

People rarely break the law during spells of depression. They may do some uncharacteristic things, like leaving a stack of dirty dishes in the sink or frowning at Disneyland, but nothing that calls for jail time. Mania is depression’s evil twin, the insidious instigator who tugs on your puppet strings and encourages you to perform all manner of lewd and immoral acts. It handcuffs and gags your conscience, so you act without inhibitions. Sure, a manic state can make you more spontaneous and creative, but it can also push you past the boundaries of what’s socially acceptable and legal.

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If you get caught breaking the law, the legal system can complicate your life and increase your stress level by subjecting you to court dates, legal fees, fines, parole officers, and possibly even jail time. You rarely have the option of whether or not to deal with these inconveniences, but you may be able to diminish the negative effects they have on your life. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Keep quiet. When you’re manic, keeping your mouth shut may not be a realistic option, but it’s always good advice to defer to your lawyer when questioned. Remember, you do have the right to remain silent.

  • Obtain legal representation. You have the right to a court-appointed attorney if you can’t afford a private attorney. You can also seek help from advocacy groups. NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) has a legal center you can contact by calling 703-524-7600 or e-mailing legal@nami.org.

  • Inform the court of your bipolar diagnosis. Lawyers, judges, social workers, and correctional officers should be well aware of the effects mania has on behavior, and they may be more flexible knowing that you’ve been diagnosed and are receiving treatment.

  • Add your parole officer to your treatment team. If the court assigns you a parole officer, encourage communication between the parole officer and your doctor and therapist. In addition to fostering understanding and empathy, the team effort can assist in your recovery.

  • Seek assistance with any substance-abuse problems. Alcohol and illicit drugs can often exacerbate mood symptoms and lead to illicit behavior. If you have a substance-abuse problem, make sure your doctor and therapist know about it. Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups can help you stay clean and sober.

    If you need to call the police to deal with a friend or relative who’s currently suffering a major manic attack, inform the dispatcher that the person has bipolar disorder. Most officers are trained to confront an alleged perpetrator directly, which is the worst approach for dealing with someone experiencing full-blown mania. NAMI and other organizations are working hard to train police on how to defuse tense situations and get mentally ill people to treatment rather than to jail. If your friend or relative is arrested and jailed, officers won’t allow the person to take medication, so you need to call the doctor and perhaps a lawyer in order to convince the justice system to pass along the medications to your friend or relative.


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    For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.

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