• Mental illness can be managed by seeking professional help.
• Among celebs with bipolar is Saumu Mbuvi and Dennis Ombachi.
Mental illness comes in many ways. The sad reality is that it affects how a person views life and how they interact with others.
In the past week, former Citizen TV host Kimani Mbugua has been trending after coming out to ask for help. Kimani has been battling bipolar disorder.
This is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration.
We take a look at prominent celebrities you didn't know had bipolar.
Dennis Ombachi
The celebrated rugby player cum chef has been among Kenyans who have openly talked about battling bipolar disorder.
He was diagnosed as bipolar in 2018, he had however had the symptoms for years but never sought any help.
Ombachi is loved by many for his Tiktok videos where he showcases his cooking skills.
Saumu Mbuvi
Saumu who is the first-born daughter of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko battles bipolar.
In 2021 Saumu opened up on her battle with mental illness, at the time she had battled bipolar for eight years.
“I did not know I was bipolar until I had a very bad breakdown and that I had to be taken to hospital and that is when I was diagnosed with bipolar eight years ago. For the longest time, I did not know I had bipolar but it took this main trigger (breakup),” explained Mbuvi.
Racheal Shebesh
Former Women Rep Racheal Shebesh is among the prominent people who battle bipolar.
Rachael who is in her early 50s was diagnosed with bipolar in her early 20's.
Speaking in a past interview Shebesh says she has battled depression over the same.
Kimani Mbugua
The former Citizen TV presenter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020.
He has been in and out of hospital over the same.
Selena Gomez
The award-winning singer/ actress revealed in April 2020 that she has bipolar disorder.
Gomez was also diagnosed with lupus in 2014. The laid-back singer in an interview with Elle in 2020, said the Bipolar diagnosis felt like a load had been lifted off her shoulders.
“Recently I went to one of the best mental health hospitals in America, McLean Hospital [affiliated with Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts], and I discussed that after years of going through a lot of different things, I realized I was bipolar.
So, when I know more information it helps me. It doesn't scare me when I know it.
I felt a huge weight lifted off me when I found out. "
Maria Carey
Celebrated singer Carey was diagnosed with bipolar in 2001.
She made the diagnosis public with an interview with People magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jess Cagle.
She did not make the news of her diagnosis public immediately, why?
“I didn’t want to carry around the stigma of a lifelong disease that would define me and potentially end my career,” she said. “I was so terrified of losing everything.”
Kanye West
Ye, known as Kanye West before he legally changed his name, also has bipolar disorder.
In a 2019 interview with David Letterman, the Grammy-winning rapper spoke frankly about what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder.
He described his experience with bipolar disorder as “having a sprained brain” similar to having a sprained ankle.
“I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I’m ramping up. It is a health issue,” Ye said.
If someone has a sprained ankle, you’re not going to push on him more. With us, once our brain gets to a point of spraining, people do everything to make it worse,” Ye told Letterman.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
If you grew up in the 90's then you know who Van Damme is.
The actor cum kick boxer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the late Nineties.
There's no sure way to prevent bipolar disorder. However, getting treatment at the earliest sign of a mental health disorder can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening.
If you are suicidal Counselors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199 for support.
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