Situational stress not enough to prove disability under Equality Act

When stress is not a disability

This case highlights a common challenge in disability discrimination claims: proving that a mental health condition meets the legal definition of disability. The former employee had a documented history of behavioural difficulties as a child and attended therapy sessions as a teenager and adult. He experienced symptoms including insomnia, concentration problems, and hypervigilance, which he argued substantially affected his daily life. However, the tribunal found that these symptoms were likely reactions to stressful life events rather than a mental impairment.

What the tribunal considered

The key factor was the pattern of the claimant's symptoms. He had a 10-year period without any therapy, which indicated that his difficulties were not continuous. The tribunal noted that he never sought a medical diagnosis or took prescription medication, preferring self-care practices like meditation and cold water therapy. The evidence showed that his symptoms flared up during stressful periods but subsided when life was going well. This pointed to a situational reaction rather than an underlying impairment with long-term effects.

Why this matters for similar claims

This decision serves as a reminder that not every mental health difficulty will qualify as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. To succeed, claimants must demonstrate that their condition has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on normal day-to-day activities. A history of therapy alone is not enough—tribunals will look at the overall pattern, including periods of remission and whether symptoms are linked to specific stressors. Those considering a disability discrimination claim should seek medical evidence that clearly establishes the nature and duration of their impairment.