How Did Kanye West Get Diagnosed?

Kanye West (Ye) has been a focal point of pop culture because of his influence over music, fashion, and the public discourse. However, over the past several years a lot of the pop culture fixation has been on his mental health. Maybe the most controversial topic has been his being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The process to getting that diagnosis, how it occurred, and what came of it has spurred much interest, especially in discussions on mental illness and celebrity power.

Kanye West Was Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder In 2016 Following A Psychiatric Emergency

Kanye West had a psychiatric breakdown in November 2016 that saw him hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center. After a series of public meltdowns, last-minute concert cancellations, and erratic behavior, West was put on psychiatric hold by The Los Angeles Times and TMZ reported. Sources in the art world said the flash point was too much stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep.

It was during this period that West was allegedly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although the conditions under which he was diagnosed were not disclosed initially, they became more real following West's mention of the illness during interviews and in his songs.

Kanye West Publicly Acknowledged His Diagnosis In 2018 Through His Album And Interviews

His first public admission came in June 2018 when he released his album Ye. On the cover it famously states: "I hate being bipolar. It's awesome." It triggered public outcry and alarm nationwide but it did make people aware of bipolar disorder.

In an interview with Big Boy TV in 2018, West acknowledged he had been diagnosed with a "mental condition" and referred to it as a "superpower." He continued the myth with a trip to Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he explained bipolar disorder was difficult but that it made him more creative and challenged him. Although that, he did say that it can be hazardous during times when it's not treated.

 

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Public Episodes Of Erratic Behavior Highlighted The Ongoing Struggle With Bipolar Disorder

Kanye West's diagnosis remained to regularly pop up in the headlines as his fans and pundits broke down his actions. During his presidential campaign rally in South Carolina in 2020, he tearfully spoke about abortion and spouted a series of nonsensical statements. The previous month, he tweeted on a tirade that his wife Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner were attempting to "lock him up."

Bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, impacts an estimated 2.8% of American adults each year. Another way to put it is that close to 7 million individuals are on the rollercoaster of the disease each year. West's highly publicized experience shed light on the manner in which the condition may present as hyper highs (mania) and lows (depression), particularly if untreated.

Kanye West’s Statements And Decisions Reflect A Complex Relationship With Treatment

While West was at first willing to talk about his diagnosis, he has since made contradictory statements. In his 2019 interview with Forbes, he said he was misdiagnosed and suggested he had sleep deprivation. But both his 2022 documentary and his Drink Champs interview again suggested bipolar disorder as a persistent condition in his life.

Mental health professionals note that bipolar disorder can be complicated in many cases by denial or noncompliance with continued treatment. In a study published in 2020 by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, nearly 60% of bipolar disorder patients ceased taking their medications over time, raising the chance of relapse and hospitalization.

Public Reaction To Kanye West’s Diagnosis Has Sparked Broader Discussions About Mental Health

Public reaction to West's encounter with mental illness has been divided. There are some fans who appreciate his candor as courageous and endearing, while others worry about what if symptoms are allowed to go unaddressed, especially when expanded by fame and international stages. Despite controversy, celebrity-backed mental health activism has increased. Mental Health America's report in 2021 indicates requests for screening for bipolar disorder were 17% greater between 2018 and 2021. Most attributed the boost to individuals such as Kanye West making the problem mainstream.

No matter whether he accepts or disagrees with his diagnosis at any given time, the truth of the matter is that Kanye West's mental state is always at the core of his life and career. His example illustrates how mental illness transgresses touching both the common man as well as worldwide phenomenon in this instance.

 

Business Name: Sparkly Maid Chicago

Business Number: (224) 214-0145

Business Email: support@sparklymaid.com

Business Address: Chicago, IL