I have a friend who I believe is bipolar and is also under a lot of environmental stress. There’s a lot to say there but it will be pages and pages if I go into this. She has trouble sleeping because of a lot of stress and guilt.

Anyway she nearly died tonight because she ignored a red light while driving a stretch of road she drives every day. She slept good last night so was not abnormally tired, was not drowsy, not any kind of intoxicated, wasn’t on her phone or otherwise distracted. She’s not any kind of suicidal — at least not from what I can tell.

She didn’t misjudge or not see the light. It’s a massive intersection. Broad daylight. No explanation. It’s like her brain didn’t recognize the threat.

Is there a name for this kind of event?

She’s early 40’s. She has some PTSD and can react strangely when it’s triggered. But that didn’t happen. She takes L-thyroxine for a thyroid condition. I’m not aware of any other medications.

Any advice appreciated.