People who experience manic episodes often describe the sense of being overwhelmed by the intensity of life. This can interfere with careful and thoughtful deliberation, replacing it with impulsive behavior that can make the manic feel they are not in control.

A high-flying Texas judge who quietly vanished from the courtroom earlier this month amid mental illness rumors is not missing — but is out on medical leave. Judge Kelli Johnson, one of Harris County’s longest-serving current jurists, hasn’t been ...