Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), mental disabilities are considered to be a type of disability that can impact major life activities. Mental disabilities include a wide range of conditions that affect a person’s mood, thinking, behavior, and emotional state.
Examples of mental disabilities that may be covered under the ADA COULD include:
1. Major depressive disorder
2. Bipolar disorder
3. Schizophrenia
4. Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
5. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
6. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
7. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
8. Intellectual disability
9. Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
10. Substance use disorder
It is important to note that a diagnosis of a mental illness alone DOES NOT automatically qualify an individual for protection under the ADA.
The mental disability must also substantially limit one or more major life activities to meet the definition of disability under the ADA.
Some examples of major life activities that may be impacted by mental illness include:
Learning: Mental disabilities can impact a person’s ability to learn, concentrate, and understand information, making it difficult for them to succeed in academic or vocational settings.
Working: Mental disabilities can affect a person’s ability to perform job tasks, communicate with coworkers or supervisors, and meet job requirements.
Caring for oneself: Mental disabilities can impact a person’s ability to care for their own physical and emotional needs, including basic activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Not being social by itself is not a major life activity but it can affect other major life activities.
Concentrating: Mental disabilities can affect a person’s ability to concentrate and focus on tasks, making it difficult for them to complete activities that require sustained attention.
Regulating emotions: Mental disabilities can affect a person’s ability to regulate their emotions, leading to mood swings, irritability, and difficulty coping with stress.
Sleeping: Mental disabilities can impact a person’s ability to get restful sleep, leading to sleep disturbances or insomnia.
It’s important to note that the impact of mental disabilities on major life activities can vary from person to person, depending on the type and severity of the disability.
