to work with people who have issues. the right thing to do it talk to your supervisor about it. maybe she is unaware of her problems, and when your supervisor talks to her she will get a wake-up call.

But I don't necessarily think a mental health condition that is manageable with safe and effective psychiatric treatment, is a license to be an unreasonable dick.

You know, you don't really know what she may be suffering from. I doubt you have a PhD in anything. Instead of creating rumours about her, perhaps extend a little patience towards her. You will feel better about yourself in the end for it.

op wrote she refuses to take meds. that would imply she realizes she has an illness and communicates that to others already, so it should be easy to communicate this to a supervisor or panel or what-have-you. much harder if she won't admit to an illness. than as a male, you are 'gaslighting' apparently (as if no woman could ever possibly be batsh*t crazy).

Live in the burbs if you don't wanna see this stuff. There's nothing you can do about it..

Women who are functional enough to maintain a job/not suffer a total breakdown are the most intractable patients known to psychology. They tend to be in deep denial, often because they can trade sex for companionship in order to stave off what would happen to a man with similar disorder: he would be disowned by everyone. As someone who has dealt with a toxic, mentally ill woman for years (you only get one mother, boohoo), my advice is that you probably cannot do much of anything other than speak with a supervisor or avoid her. At least you have a supervisor. In family situations, there is no supervisor.

You sound like a drama queen. In all your ranting, you don't mention a single thing this coworker has done that pushes the boundaries or any evidence of her having a mental illness, not to mention that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are two different illnesses with different symptoms. Your post, as well as Intractable Patients' post, reek of misogyny.

I have the deepest sympathy with those suffering from mental illness. I have a close friend who is bipolar, a relative who suffers from anorexia-bulimia and a wife with OCD. Its terrible to see and terrible to see what it does to people - especially those who wont seek help. My wife hasn't sought any help for her illness in at least 10 years and thinks she has it under control. She doesnt. The saddest thing is I've tried and tried to get her help, tried to live with it, seen psychologists/psychiatrists myslef, tried to keep going but I know now my marriage is doomed. Deep down inside she's a nice person but trying to live with her is going to kill me....

Sometimes they cant help themselves and there is nothing friends and family can do until they realise it themselves

Above poster is right.. They can't help themselves

Why would anyone intentionally behave in a manner that would repel people?

you sound like a good person. thank you for recognizing that mental illness as an illness.