Citizen TV anchor Waihiga Mwaura lost his sister Gathoni Mwaura who died after a long battle with chronic condition Bipolar Disorder.
The news of the death was first shared by Mwaura’s wife Joyce Omondi on social media on April 20th.
“I feel numb and speechless. It’s incredibly difficult trying to accept that our tender-hearted, witty, beautiful little sister, Gathoni, is suddenly no longer with us. Oh Lord, we fix our eyes on You. Our risen King, only You, your unfailing love and sufficient grace are the answer to this pain and sorrow,” Joyce Omondi wrote on Instagram.
Gathoni Mwaura’s cause of death was ultimately revealed during her memorial service at CITAM Valley Road on Thursday.
According to a tribute read by Anne Githuku, Gathoni died while at a Nairobi hospital on April 14 at 4 am.
“On Thursday, April 14, 2022, on her mother’s birthday Gathoni was in a Nairobi medical facility and was recovering well from a personal illness. At around 4 am she collapsed and CPR was administered to her by the medical practitioners on site. While being rushed to another hospital she rested.”
Githuku revealed that the late Gathoni struggled with Bipolar Disorder.
“Gathoni worked towards her dreams and desires even though for years she had suffered from bipolar disorder. She openly talked about her struggles with mental health and despite her pain, she reached out to others to help them.”
Bipolar disorder is a condition associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain structure and chemistry play a role.
Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep and loss of touch with reality. Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation and loss of interest in daily activities.
Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
Treatment can help, but Bipolar disorder can’t be cured, it can last for years or be lifelong.
People with bipolar disorder are more likely than those without the mental illness to die from a number of causes, and to die almost a decade younger.
Bipolar sufferers are at raised risk of dying from heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, the flu and pneumonia.[sic]
