What Ayman Oghanna has said about Bipolar disorder

3 quotes · 1 episode · Jul 20, 2026

Ayman Oghanna, Journalist based near Athens who reports from conflict zones, has been quoted on Bipolar disorder 3 times in 1 episode of This American Life, most recently on July 20, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

  • Oghanna said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a decade ago and has experienced paranoia and psychosis often centered on spies.

    “Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I've had episodes of paranoia, sometimes psychosis, often involving spies”

    This American Life: 892: Trapped on a Bus (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 13:58

  • Oghanna stated that delusions involving espionage and religion are very common among people with bipolar disorder.

    “It turns out, delusions about espionage and religion are extremely common in people who have bipolar disorder”

    This American Life: 892: Trapped on a Bus (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 18:04

  • Oghanna explained that paranoid beliefs of being watched felt validating because they flattered the ego with the idea that a higher power cared.

    “the idea that someone's watching you appeals to your ego, that there's some higher power that cares about you, whether it's God or an intelligence agency”

    This American Life: 892: Trapped on a Bus (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 22:11

Episodes

  • 892: Trapped on a Bus

    This American Life · Jul 20, 2026 · 1 h 3 min

    Guest host David Kestenbaum presents stories of unwanted journeys: a runaway bus, a neighbor-spy and bipolar paranoia, Havana blackouts, the Sycamore Gap felling, and an in-flight bite.

Ayman Oghanna on other topics