The rapper details his struggle with bipolar disorder in the new season of David Letterman's Netflix show, "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction."
In a clip of the episode, which is set to drop Friday, Letterman asks West, "What is the mechanism that is malfunctioning or is taking a break in your brain, do you know?"
"I wouldn't be able to explain that as much just because, you know, I'm not a doctor," West replied. "I can just tell you what I'm feeling at the time, and I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I'm ramping up. It is a health issue.
This — it's like a sprained brain, like having a sprained ankle. And if someone has a sprained ankle, you're not going to push on him more. With us, once our brain gets to a point of spraining, people do everything to make it worse."
West says he is under a doctor's care, that he uses alternative treatment methods, but he thinks medication may work with others with bipolar disorder.
Dr. Tara Narula told "CBS This Morning" she applauds West and every other celebrity who speaks about their mental health illness.
"Because this is a real struggle for so many Americans. One in five Americans, our husbands, our children, our friends are dealing with this. And many of them are suffering in silence, they're suffering with shame and guilt. They're suffering alone, and they're not getting the care and the treatment that they need," Narula said.
She said that a major factor in the way it is treated and acknowledged in our society is the fact that we can't see it.
"That's part of the issue. It's not a tumor or a mass that you can see. It's not a plaque in a heart artery that I can show you. But the pain is real. Some have described it as being worse than the worst physical pain you can possibly imagine," she said.
Narula said that bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that's characterized by fluctuations in mood, energy, activity, and affects your ability to really function on a daily basis.
"It swings between these very, very high, highs — mania or hypomania and these low lows or depression. And it affects about 2.5 percent of the American population," Narula said. "It can often be misdiagnosed for many years and when it's not treated properly, it can wreak havoc on a patient or a person's financial life, their personal life, their work life and it can be associated with an increased risk of suicide. We know 10 to 15 percent of bipolar patients die by suicide. Bravo to Kanye. I think it's hard to explain as he said what it feels like."
From CBS news
*Oh Dear,hes Bipolar?No wonder but its good he knows and good he had opened up..Now people will understand him better when he starts his drama.
That was brave if him.
ReplyDeleteMay God heal him.
Tonto has left the group chat..
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised.
ReplyDeleteLike. *rme* we been knew you was polar in the head a long time ago..
Deleteone of his kids maybe bipolar
ReplyDelete*may be
DeleteMight be .
This isn't a very intelligent assumption, you know.
DeleteIt was damn obvious he had a mental ish
ReplyDeleteI had an ex with the same condition, he lies like a devil and will start fighting you and insulting you for no reason, then later start crying like a baby. Lots of false accusations from him ,It comes with hyper-sexuality, he watches porn and masturbates anywhere!!
DeleteI borrowed sense and japa’ed because I no wan die young.
15:43
DeleteWhat you described aren't exactly sings of a Bipolar individual. They are more of a Sociopath.
My sis has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She is very paranoid. She refuses to take her meds because it makes her like a zombie. She is still functioning and has a very good job. We are just praying for her.
DeleteBeg your sister to take it. Force her even. When there's a break down it's not one of joy. My elder bro has been living with it since he was diagnosed in 2007. He takes it on and off and his breakdown isn't funny. The last recent one saw him throwing away his wallet with over 100k,leaving my moms car on third mainland bridge, throwing away his iPad and iPhone. It's not a funny situation. God protect ur sis
DeleteYes. The name of his last album ye- I hate being bipolar, it’s awesome. Listen to the album, he talked about it. The guy’s got issues and he admits it.
ReplyDeleteMany men needs to be checked in all sincerity. Most are bipolar or have some sort of mental disorder they don’t want to admit.
Anon15.02 pls shed a bit more light on this pls . I can go from very happy to very moody in a blink of an eye .
DeleteAnon 15:02 so women (Tonto Dike) are exempted from the disease or what ae you talking about? All you men haterz should receive deliverance from God in Jesus name!
DeleteAmen....and also cure her of every stupidity
Delete15:02
DeleteGoing from very happy to very moody in the blink of an eye is a major indicator of being Bipolar.
You could do well by focusing more on the things that make you happy, engaging in activities that stimulate your mind and avoiding situations that could drag you through the depressing path of sadness.
You will pull through, keep your mind right.
Lol @vice “I love hate being bipolar, it’s awesome” is the name of his album not me.
Delete@anon 15:49 I’m not a man hater, i love and admire good men... sorry if I was a bit partial on the gender thing but it’s the truth... men go through a lot then they tell is why most of this happens with them... not saying it doesn’t happen with women.
Stella why are you surprised, he said it last year. That shit is real.
ReplyDeleteThis info is not new to me.
ReplyDeleteI love Kanye West. It will not be easy for Kim.
Cheiii that why he wears bathroom Slippers and Rag to work on the Street.. wish him heavenly hearing..
ReplyDeleteCHIKA you no well at all. Abeg person dey fast no make me laugh. May God heal him
DeleteA major indicator of stupidity is expressing insensitive opinions in confidence.
DeleteDear Chika, I wish you a heavenly hearing too in your undiscovered plight.
Ehya, God heal papa North West o!
ReplyDeleteAwwwww!
ReplyDeleteStill love him.
This reminds me of the blog visitor with 🆔 'bipolar',it's been awhile I saw her comment here.
It all over him
ReplyDeleteBeen bipolar was a known fact good he is talking about it.
ReplyDeleteCecee also falls under this category.Just try to understand her issue and you will be able to live with her.I also see my Tonto here too.Enjoy them in their high and manage them in their low.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Wendy Williams calls him a mad man. but seriously in all these, it is Kim that i really applaud. who would have thought she would stand by Kanye this long? And they have 4 kids? kudos Kim 👏👏👏 and I pray for healing for Kanye!
ReplyDeleteI really applaud Kim.For her to stand by him shows her strength. I never expected her to stay this long. Kanye really loves her,tho.
DeleteI had a stint at DONDA. It was there that I had the rare privilege of meeting this amazing individual and engaging in some deep conversations with him.
ReplyDeleteIt was at that point my admiration, respect and love for 'Ye heightened. He was always open about the workings of his mind and how unsure he was if his mental health was on the rung that it should be.
As a manic depressive man, I can say for sure that it isn't a beautiful place to be at. I'm grateful for the amazing people around me and for the love and support that they have shown me over the years. I am grateful for where I am at and my achievements.
I am also grateful for having the honor of ever growing under 'Ye's tutelage. I hope Kim continues to be that strength for him.
The Dockleaf bar never looked so good, them Liverpool fans going nuts.
Vice & Virtue your food don land nah.
ReplyDeleteAnd you like Kanye West wella.
😘😘😘
When a woman is loved right, she will do anything for you.
ReplyDeleteKimmy is sure of Kanye's love and loyalty!! And that is all Kimmy asked of! So tell me why she wouldn't stick it out with Kanye huh? ?
May God heal u kanye
ReplyDelete