Kanye West Details 4-Month Manic Episode of “Psychotic” Behavior

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Kanye West is detailing the struggles of living with bipolar disorder. 

The rapper, known for his song “Runaway,” publicly apologized for making antisemitic statements and also discussed his struggles with mental health, offering a rare look into his personal life.

In an apology published as an ad in the January 26th Wall Street Journal, Kanye West described a four-month period starting in early 2025 where he experienced a severe mental health crisis. He explained that this manic episode involved delusional thinking, paranoia, and reckless actions that significantly harmed his life, and at times, led him to feel hopeless.

Looking back at my manic episodes, the truly terrifying part wasn’t the energy or the ideas – it was thinking I was fine. I honestly believed I didn’t need any help, and that’s what scares me the most when I think about it now. It’s like I was completely disconnected from reality, but convinced everyone else was the one who was wrong.

He described it as a deceptive feeling – it clouded your judgment while making you believe you were seeing things clearly. You feel strong, sure of yourself, and like nothing can stop you. He admitted he lost his grip on what was real, and the situation only deteriorated the more he pretended there wasn’t a problem.

West explained that the period after a manic episode is often the most difficult, as the full impact of the illness becomes clear. He also shared that his wife, Bianca Censori, whom he married in 2022, supported him in seeking help after his recent experience.

West shared that he’s surprisingly found support in online Reddit communities. Reading about other people’s experiences with similar highs and lows – periods of mania and depression – helped him understand he wasn’t the only one going through it.

As a longtime follower, I was surprised to see Kanye – who’s a dad to North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm with Kim Kardashian – seem to walk back what he said earlier about his diagnosis. Back in February, he’d stated his bipolar disorder was actually autism, but now it seems he’s reconsidering that. It’s definitely a shift, and I’m curious to see what led to it.

West explained that he isn’t the only one who struggles significantly each year, even while consistently taking medication. He also mentioned that despite consulting top doctors, they haven’t diagnosed him with bipolar disorder, instead suggesting he shows signs of autism.

West shared that he’s continuing to focus on personal growth and learning how to take care of his mental wellbeing.

Now that I’m feeling more stable thanks to medication, therapy, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, I have a clearer sense of purpose. I’m focusing all my energy on creating positive and impactful art – music, fashion, design, and exploring new ideas – to contribute to the world.”

This isn’t the first time Kanye West’s mental health has been a topic of conversation. Back in 2020, before Kim Kardashian filed for divorce, she spoke about his struggles and noted that even those closest to him found it difficult to communicate with him when he experienced manic episodes.

In a July Instagram post, she explained that families are usually unable to force an adult with mental illness or compulsive behaviors to get help. She noted that those unfamiliar with these situations often misjudge them, not realizing that the person struggling must ultimately choose to seek help themselves, no matter how much support loved ones provide.

Kim Kardashian once explained that while we often discuss being understanding about mental health generally, it’s equally important to show compassion to people who are personally struggling, especially when they need support.

For more stars who have detailed their mental health battles, keep reading…

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He said he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, along with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.

I was so moved by what he shared. He told me his wife was expecting their son, but he was really struggling with the thought of becoming a dad. He was worried about his mental health – he didn’t want to risk having an episode he couldn’t recover from, especially with a family to care for. That’s why he started therapy and began working on himself, proactively seeking help before things got worse. It was incredibly brave of him to open up about that.

The former star of Gossip Girl shared his experience struggling with “body dysmorphia” when he was a child actor.

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn revealed they used to strongly dislike their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce and a period of depression and isolation, he intentionally and unintentionally started focusing on his appearance. He felt that being seen as more attractive might lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

Honestly, it was everything. It’s what got me through all the times I felt lost and confused, all the stuff I was struggling with internally. It pulled me back, you know? And I don’t think I’m the same person anymore, it… it changed me, hopefully for the better. I feel like I’ve actually grown because of it all.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, stating on the The Funny Thing Is podcast, ‘Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived.’ She admitted to engaging in extreme behaviors related to food, calling it her ‘drug of choice.’

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards better health and fitness.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she made significant lifestyle changes: she stopped eating sugar, gave up alcohol, and began practicing yoga, including breathing and stretching exercises. She believes these changes were incredibly effective, comparing the positive impact to taking Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with eating and body image, which are genuine challenges for her. However, she’s working on improving her well-being and addressing physical health concerns by focusing on a healthy diet.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She explained on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about these things, even with those closest to you. She personally feels she should be able to handle it on her own, and admitting she needs to talk about it feels like a sign of weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about how she safeguards her well-being, like blocking out negativity online, and she also offers guidance to others who might be struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that the most important thing is patience. She emphasized being patient with yourself, resisting impulsive decisions, and allowing time to pass. She believes that difficult feelings will eventually lessen with time.

As people adjusted to social distancing to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about how challenging times like these can be.

She tweeted that it’s often hard to decide what’s more difficult – avoiding the virus or dealing with the sadness that comes with this new way of life. Katy explained that she often finds comfort in her car, saying it’s become her safe place since there aren’t many other options for getting away from things.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety during an appearance on Good Morning America.

She remembered that after her panic attacks started happening again, she was finally able to understand what was going on.

Kendall shared that she experiences both good and anxious days, making her emotional state fluctuate. This is a major reason why she wanted to get involved with this particular cause – she wants people to know they’re not alone in their struggles.

The actor who plays Black Adam has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and the challenges many men face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t pick and choose who it affects. It took me a while to understand this, but the most important thing is to feel comfortable talking about what you’re going through. Men, in particular, often tend to keep their feelings bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his experiences made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional help and has publicly discussed her experiences with depression. She’s shared that therapy is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “I have a therapist that I speak to. That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began a therapy involving MDMA and psilocybin, a treatment for PTSD, after struggling with both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

Honestly, it was incredible. I was on tour, and for the first time, I wasn’t scared at all! I told Rolling Stone about it – it felt like… well, imagine this intense pressure, like when you go up in an airplane, but everyone in the audience felt it too. It was like we were all connected by this energy! It hit me then – I don’t just like that feeling, that deep, physical reaction to my music… I need it. It’s everything.

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of womanhood. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated and like she could explore new possibilities when she wasn’t conforming to those expectations.

In a 2017 Instagram post, the Riverdale actress shared that she battled significant anxiety and depression in middle school, and credited the support of her family and a therapist with helping her through it. She encouraged others to seek help, saying it’s the most important first step, and reminded them that they are valued beyond measure.

As someone who’s spent years navigating anxiety and OCD, I want to share a little about what that journey has been like. It’s been a real process, and I’m opening up about how it’s impacted my life – everything from daily routines to bigger life moments. I’m hoping by sharing my experiences, it can help others feel less alone and more understood.

Carly shared on the Dumb Blonde podcast with Bunnie Xo in August 2025 that her anxiety began around the time of her divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I learned to suppress my feelings and cope on my own. But a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy to understand what was going on. It wasn’t something that started recently; I’ve actually been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, around 6 or 7 years old.

The actress known for Frozen has openly shared her mental health journey for years, discussing how she copes with things in public speeches and on social media platforms like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she told Health magazine, that could involve things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for every negative one, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has bravely shared her experiences with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken challenge for new mothers.

I remember reading her words in Glamour back in 2017, and they really struck me. She explained how each time she spoke about it, it became a little less difficult. What resonated most was her desire for others to understand this could happen to anyone, and, crucially, that no one should feel ashamed or isolated if they’re going through the same thing. It felt so empowering to read.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teen, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara explained to the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn how to find joy on her own, and after a long journey, she finally can. She’s now able to be happy by herself.

Okay, so Ariana gets it, you guys! Someone was jokingly asking who HER therapist is on Twitter, and her reply? Honestly, it made me tear up a little. She said, and I quote, ‘lmaoaoo this is funny as fk but in all honesty therapy has saved my life so many times.’ Like, YES QUEEN! It’s amazing she’s so open about it and encourages everyone to get help when they need it. She’s not just an icon, she’s a real person who prioritizes mental health, and I’m obsessed with her for it!

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. She explained that I didn’t have to live with constant pain and that healing from trauma is possible. While acknowledging she still had a lot of work ahead of her, she felt that simply recognizing this possibility was a good first step.

The singer has publicly shared her experiences with addiction, recovery, and mental health, and often incorporates these personal struggles into her songs.

She frequently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She once shared on Instagram, “To anyone who’s struggling: life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

Okay, so, Zendaya isn’t just playing characters who struggle – she really gets it. Like, her role as Rue in Euphoria? It felt so real because she’s been open about her own battles with anxiety and depression. It’s not just acting for her; she’s lived some of it, and that’s what makes her so amazing and relatable, honestly. I feel like she’s truly using her platform to bring awareness to these important issues.

In 2013, Zendaya shared on her old app that she felt anxious after a TV appearance on Ellen when her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that sometimes you need to take a break to reduce stress.

The singer opened up to WSJ Magazine about her struggles with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of intense happiness followed by weeks of debilitating lows.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

She shared that she’d kept her mental health challenges private for a long time, both when in the public eye and when not. Speaking at the 2018 Global Changemakers Award, she explained, ‘I truly believe that keeping things secret only makes things worse.’

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2026-01-26 19:28