The spotlight that comes with being a celebrity can have surprising effects on a person and on the public as well. A great example of this is the fame of rapper, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur Kanye West. Nearly every time he does something, it creates headlines and spreads across the Internet. This has led many to wonder if Kanye West does things for attention, to fulfill or defy the public’s perception, or if it may be the result of mental health problems. Kanye West’s most recent and bizarre antics have convinced some of the latter, but is it true? Is Kanye West suffering from a mental health disorder? 

Who is Kanye West? 

Kanye West – also known as Ye, Yeezus, Yeezy, and Saint Pablo – was born in Atlanta, Georgia in June of 1977. However, he soon found himself in Chicago, Illinois with his mother at the age of three after his parents’ divorce. West demonstrated a love for the arts at an early age, writing poetry when he was only five years old. In the third grade, he began rapping, and by seventh grade, he was creating musical compositions. 

Despite receiving a scholarship to attend college, Kanye West dropped out to pursue music. Throughout the mid-1990s to early 2000s, he worked as a music producer. West found success as a producer and even helped revitalize Jay-Z’s rap career with his contributions on the album, The Blueprint. 

Despite his success as a producer, Kanye West desired to be a rapper. Eventually, his wish was granted, and Kanye dropped his first album, College Dropout, in 2004. It received critical acclaim and was considered by several publications as the best album of that year. However, as West garnered fame as a rapper, he also garnered notoriety for his behavior. His first public controversy occurred in 2004 when he stormed out of the American Music Awards after losing the “Best New Artist” award. 

Since then, Kanye West has released a number of successful albums, such as Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and The Life of Pablo. However, he has also been at the center of several bizarre, controversial moments, including his comments on President George W. Bush during a televised hurricane relief concert and his infamous interruption of Taylor Swift receiving the award for “Best Female Video” at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards. 

Kanye West’s More Recent Antics

Recently, Kanye West’s behavior has become more erratic and strange. In 2020, he announced that he was running for President of the United States on behalf of the Birthday Party. These days, West’s focus appears to be split between his music and his wife Kim Kardashian’s new boyfriend, Pete Davidson. Although West and Kim Kardashian are separated, they have not yet divorced, and many assume his feud with Davidson is a result of West wanting to rekindle his marriage. 

However, that is not all. Kanye West frequently shares bizarre claims, images, and attacks on his Instagram and then deletes them. He is also in a feud with Billie Eilish, who he claims made hurtful comments about his friend and fellow rapper, Travis Scott.

With all of the Kanye West drama that unfolds daily and sometimes even hourly, it can be hard to keep up, let alone understand what he is doing and why. Because his acts and antics are often so unexpected, many suspect that he is living with a mental health disorder.    

Is Kanye West Living with a Mental Health Disorder? 

As his behavior often indicates, Kanye West is living with a mental health disorder. In 2016, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Later, in a 2019 interview with Vogue, Kim Kardashian shared details about West’s mental health problems. She claimed that West had trouble accepting his bipolar diagnosis at first. But, at the time of the interview, he had accepted it and wanted to show people that a normal life is possible with a mental health disorder.    

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that typically causes intense mood swings in those living with it. The intense moods caused by bipolar disorder usually fall under one of three categories, which include a manic episode, depressive episode, or mixed episode. In a manic episode, an individual commonly feels extreme elation and energy. In a depressive episode, an individual feels extreme sadness, hopelessness, or indifference. Lastly, in a mixed episode, an individual experiences symptoms of both a manic and depressive episode, which often leads to odd yet intense moods.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is unique to every person living with it. However, nearly every case of bipolar disorder fits within three categories :  

• Bipolar I disorder
• Bipolar II disorder
• Cyclothymic disorder

Bipolar I disorder is characterized primarily by manic episodes that can last seven days or longer. Oftentimes, the manic symptoms under bipolar I disorder require hospitalization. However, depressive episodes are also common with bipolar I disorder. These episodes usually last around two weeks at a time. 

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by an individual experiencing depressive episodes more so than manic episodes. Oftentimes, individuals with bipolar II disorder will experience hypomanic episodes instead. Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes but are much less severe. 

Cyclothymic disorder is the final type of bipolar disorder, and it includes hypomanic and depressive symptoms but not episodes. The symptoms individuals with cyclothymic disorder experience typically linger for around periods of two years in adults or about a year in children and teenagers.

Kanye West and Bipolar Disorder

Kanye West’s strange and often erratic behavior is more than likely the result of his bipolar disorder. Although it may seem strange to the public, when West acts out and does something unexpected, it is likely that he is experiencing a manic episode. Because of this, it is also likely that Kanye West is living with bipolar I disorder. While having a mental health disorder does not excuse his behavior, the general public should keep it in mind and react with empathy rather than rushing to judgment.   

What Should a Person Living with a Mental Health Disorder Do?

Any person living with a mental health disorder, like bipolar disorder, or any person that suspects they might have one should seek mental health treatment. There are a variety of options available throughout the United States for mental healthcare along with thousands of mental healthcare professionals. Through the use of counseling and medication (in some cases), most individuals find it is much easier to manage and live with their mental health disorder. 

Mental Health Treatment is Available Near You!

If you or a loved one is like Kanye West and living with a mental health disorder, there is nothing to be ashamed of or feel embarrassed about. If you feel that you need mental healthcare, help is available in your area! At Knoxville Recovery Center, our team of mental health experts offer several treatment and therapy options in order to help our patients cope with and manage mental health problems in order to live their best lives. Contact us today to learn more!