Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 6/4/2006

Question
Our super is bipolar. He seems like a really nice guy, but he goes into these funks and just leaves jobs undone for weeks on end. Our hallway looks like a bomb site, he has had tools, etc sitting out for weeks on end.  He turns off his phone and can't be reached.

DH is freaked a bit. He is concerned that the guy could be dangerous to me and our children. Could he? I don't know anyone else to ask.  

Answer
Hello Daf:

From what you have told me, I wouldn't be concerned about your super being dangerous.  While there have been news reports of violent acts being done by bipolar individuals, the violence wasn't because of the bipolar disorder--there were other factors involved.

Some people who are bipolar are prone to violence, just as some people who aren't bipolar are prone to it.  It does not appear you have any reason to believe this of the super.  Unless he has given an indication of being violent, I would not worry.

Try to remember that the news shows the few people who are violent.  What you rarely see is the millions of bipolar individuals who have never and will never commit a violent act.  Those individuals make up the majority of those with bipolar disorder.

I hope I have helped ease your mind on this.

                      Joyce A. Anthony