Nairobi Lawyer With Bipolar Disorder Recalls Being Ditched After Being Hospitalised: "Alinizimia Simu"

• Samuel Ochieng recalled being dumped by his girlfriend after he was hospitalised following a manic episode
• The lawyer and pastor said his ex-lover was one of his 30 failed relationships, and he blamed the heartbreak on the illness
• The talented singer said he had not given up on love despite the many failed relationships

Nairobi - A man has opened up about his medical condition that has robbed him of good opportunities in life.

Samuel Ochieng said he battled with bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, since early childhood.

Manic-depressive illness is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression), according to Mayo Clinic.

Pursuing engineering at University of Nairobi

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Ochieng said the mental condition cost him several romantic relationships, which has shredded his heart.

"I remember this girl who was pursuing engineering at the University of Nairobi (UoN). I was studying economics, and we were dating. One day I had a trigger, and I relapsed. I was taken to the hospital, and that was where my relationship with the girl ended. There was no closure, alienda na akanizimia simu (she left and blocked me)," the lawyer said.

The gospel artiste said his mental illness cost him over 30 relationships because of the mild symptoms that pushed women away.

What are signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?

He noted bipolar disorder was irritable because of the extremes, and since many did not understand him, they distanced themselves from him.

"Sometimes something small can happen and I end up exploding which definitely does not sit well with ladies and friends as well. It has been a challenge to have long-term relationships. My longest relationship was one year with the others lasting for few months," he said.

The Nairobi pastor said he still hoped to find love despite the many heartbreaks.

Kenyan filmmaker with bipolar disorder

Earlier this year, Kenyan filmmaker Noella Luka shared a tearful battle with bipolar disorder.

The young lady embraced the chance to study filmmaking in the US, where she experienced her first manic episode, as captured by BBC News Africa.

She recalled calling her family members saying she wanted to make a big feast for them but there was no party as it was not real.

She returned to Kenya where she had been taking medicines after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.