A Sydney teacher who cited impulses linked to bipolar disorder in explaining her sexual abuse of two teenage students has been jailed for 15 months. Tayla Lee Brailey, 32, was diagnosed with the condition after the offences.

The court heard the disorder can impair judgement and increase sex drive. Judge Elizabeth Ryan found that Brailey knew her conduct was wrong but persisted, and said no penalty other than imprisonment was appropriate.

Court Hears Bipolar Disorder Claim

Brailey was first arrested at a Sydney school in August 2024 and charged with offences involving a 17-year-old student. After being released on bail, she was arrested again less than two weeks later over offences involving a second student.

The court heard she had groomed the 16-year-old online before touching him in her classroom. He said in a victim statement that the experience still overwhelms him with shame.

The boy suffered a lack of sleep and flashbacks, and left high school early because of his shame. None of his friends at the school speak to him anymore.

Brailey received nine months in prison for the offence involving the 17-year-old and 12 months for the offence involving the 16-year-old, with a combined sentence of 15 months. She will be placed on the child protection register for 15 years.

She will be eligible for parole in April 2027. Brailey, who has since trained as an accountant, has lost her job and her husband after admitting the offences.

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What Research Says About Mania

A qualitative pilot study involving five people with bipolar disorder explored how mood shifts affected their sexuality. Participants reported increased sexual drive during manic episodes, sometimes leading to more sexual interactions.

The researchers suggested that changes in sexual drive could serve as an early warning sign of a new mood episode, highlighting the importance of discussing sexuality in clinical care.

During depressive episodes, the three women in the study reported low sexual drive. The two men instead described a more self-destructive way of engaging in sex, and shifts tied to mood affected relationships negatively.

Rebecca James, who lives with bipolar disorder, wrote for the International Bipolar Foundation that its impulses can be 'sudden, almost irresistible'. For her, an impulse can signal that she is manic or has missed her medication.

The Cleveland Clinic describes compulsive sexual behaviour disorder as a condition involving persistent sexual urges or behaviours that are difficult to control. Bipolar disorder may also contribute to these behaviours, particularly during manic episodes.

A strong sex drive alone does not indicate the disorder. Doctors look for loss of control and negative impact, and check whether a medicine, substance use or another health issue is responsible.

Triggers for the disorder can include strong emotions such as anxiety, depression or irritability, plus ongoing stress and social isolation. Complications can include guilt, shame, relationship difficulties and a higher risk of anxiety and depression.

Managing Impulses and Treatment

Therapy is the main treatment for the disorder, with medication usually added to therapy rather than used alone. It can help people understand triggers, learn skills to manage urges and handle stress in healthier ways.

Medication may help reduce strong urges, improve impulse control and treat related conditions such as anxiety or depression. There is no single medication made specifically for the disorder.

James warns those closest to her about her impulses and sets boundaries in advance to stay safe. She also tries to identify the need behind an impulse, such as a wish for reassurance.

Symptoms may still intensify during periods of stress, but this does not necessarily mean treatment has failed.

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