Last week, Kanye West released his new album Ye, and with it, the information (confirmation, really) that he has bipolar disorder. And Kanye West doesn’t just say he has bipolar disorder, he screams in his album all about it including:
“Ain’t no disability! I’m a superhero. I’m a SUPERHERO!”
Bipolar disorder also features prominently on Kanye West’s album cover which reads:
“I hate being bi-polar [sic] it’s awesome.”
* Note that below I use a naughty word. I warned you.
Awesome Bipolar Superheroes and Kanye West
Kayne West is not the first person to claim to be a superhero thanks to bipolar disorder; I’ve heard many others claim the same thing. It’s generally a part of the grandiosity that is typical of mania. However, bipolar disorder does not make one a superhero, at least not when one thinks about it rationally.
And as for bipolar being “awesome,” his take is not unique there either. Again, when a person is either manic or hypomanic, it can sure feel “awesome” for some, for a while. But the reason it’s called bipolar disorder is because of the harmful effects it has on a person’s life. These effects range from hypersexuality and overspending in hypomania or mania and suicidal ideation and even death when depressed. Sound “awesome?” Want to sign up for that?
Kanye West Gets to Say He’s a Bipolar Superhero – And Maybe Even Mean It
As I said above, thinking that bipolar is “awesome” and one is a “superhero” isn’t unique. What’s unique about Kanye West is that he can possibly mine those feelings and make a multi-million-dollar album out of them. Most of us are not in that position.
And let’s not forget that bipolar comes in cycles. Kanye West may be feeling all high right now but then again, he may not be in a year. But most people don’t like to look ahead to oncoming storms when they’re so busy enjoying the sunshine.
The Problem with Kanye West Being an Awesome Superhero
Now here’s the thing, Kanye West has the right to express his experience of bipolar disorder as much as anyone else. That’s fine. And if he wants to espouse self-indulgent grandiosity and the “benefits” of a life-threatening disorder, well, I guess he can do that.
The problem lies with the fact that Kanye West is now (arguably) the most famous creative with (confirmed) bipolar disorder. This means that for many people, Kanye West is going to be the one they think of when they think “bipolar.” This means the experience that he shares about bipolar disorder is going to be the one people are going to think is accurate and all-encompassing. This means his words about bipolar disorder not being a “disability” are going to ring out with angelic clarity to the masses.
Now, on the one hand, Kanye West is just a musician and he has no responsibility to anyone. He’s responsible for album sales. That’s it.
On the other hand, if he were a reasoned and responsible human being, he would understand that his statements, while creatively true for him, are not the experience most people have with bipolar disorder. Most people don’t have an unlimited bank account and nearly no accountability for their actions thanks to obscene fame. Kanye West ought to take some responsibility to spreading an accurate message about bipolar disorder apart from his creative output for the millions of us who actually do suffer from this chronic, life-threatening illness.
And for fuck’s sake, don’t say it’s not a disability – talk about invalidating years of work on advocate’s parts to get people help for this hellish issue. I face people every day who say bipolar isn’t real and now they have this handy Kanye quote to back them up. His words make it harder for everyone who actually is suffering.
Now clearly, Kanye West isn’t currently experiencing bipolar disorder as a disability and perhaps never will, but he should reevaluate that notion the next time he’s in a hospital.
Kanye West Needs to Stop Minimizing Bipolar Disorder
Because it’s critical bipolar disorder not get minimized and be thought of as just an offshoot of creativity. It’s not. It’s the farthest thing from that. It’s a brain disorder that fucks with your life until it’s unrecognizable. It’s a disorder that steals relationships, jobs, kids and even years of life. It’s a disorder that regularly tries to kill you. Unless, perhaps, you are a very rich, very famous rapper who can afford to be seen for “exhaustion” by the finest doctors in the nicest hospitals at any time you like.
I don’t wish my experience of bipolar disorder on Kanye West or anyone else. It’s hell and if it were up to me, no one would have to experience it, least of all me. But it’s a very real experience and one indicative of what millions of others around the globe face; and it’s critical that our, very prevalent experience with a very real illness not get forgotten just because we’re not famous rappers.
Banner image by Flickr user Alpha.
Inset image by David Shankbone (David Shankbone) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.
Everyone’s experience is different. We are all different. The way we respond to treatment also varies because of our uniqueness.
It is so sad that the condition that defines you the absoulute most Ms. Tracy you see as a debilitating disease. It sounds like extreme victimization.
Mr west is actually correct.
When you are finished feeling sorry for yourself, read some studies in which scientists explain their is a direct correlation between high intellegence and bipolar condition.
Read the book “the hypomanic edge” or “the bipolar advantage” then sign up for the california bipolar in-order. Playing victim is never beneficial or productive. Stop seeing yourself as the victim of some devilitsing disease and instead see bipolar as an incredible gift, that, if not managed correctly, can have some definitive curses.
This article and the comments are interesting.
Expressing his thoughts on being bipolar through his music could potentially be helping him process everything. Acknowledging and accepting you have this disorder is not easy for everyone.
Kanye West in an artist, let him create. If you listen to his music you’d hear how he describes his battle with bipolar disorder and how it manifests itself in his daily life.
Kinda disappointed that you, someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder would take shots at another recently diagnosed person because they describe their experience a bit differently from yours…
I just can’t with Kanye. So, I’m not going to even try. I’ll just say what I know of superheros. I disagree with his views on superheroes and the context that his message spreads. I don’t think he fully understands the meaning. It’s not a glamorous and awesome experience being a superhero. At least not if you actually know your superhero stories. They are all outcasts. Broken, burdened, and suffering. The things that make them super, the things that drive them to “do good” are the things that lost and broke them. In fact, the way their storylines are able to continue is that writers find more and more ways to break them further. To push them to the limits of their sanity. I came to comics late in life and I’ve become fascinated with them more and more. Batman in particular. Well, Joker first and then Batman. There is so much darkness and isolation involved in that story. It’s quite funny to spend your whole life searching for someone who feels like you do. Who lives in their darkness everyday. Who is ruled and controlled and crushed by their darkness the way you are. It’s even funnier to find out these people are fictional. Alas, it was too good to be true. You see, in the comics their darkness is their strength and they can actually get away with punching their tormentors and wrongdoers in the face but that’s not real. We can’t do that. We break when we are crushed, we bruise when knocked down, and we bleed when the world cuts us down to size. We do not get rewrites or reboots or comebacks. Superman is Dead. Superman Lives? Reality can’t work that way. So, while I can see the appeal and even rationalize how one could feel like a superhero, by superhero standards, I do not agree with Kanye. We are not superheros. We are not immortal. When our darkness consumes us and we finally fall, we stay down.
Erica,
So eloquently written. Thank you.
Thank you, Susan. I do enjoy any excuse to discuss Batman. lol
I would rather hear that having and acknowledging my bipolar makes me awesome and I am a superhero. I was stuck in bipolar depression for many years and had very little mania so my life was pretty darn sad. So I am a survivor and I have had everyone turn their back on me because of my illness when I feel it is not that big of a deal. I have to deal with it not anyone else so I should make it as positive as possible sorry you don’t agree.
If we were superheroes we could cure ourselves,in my eyes.
In my eyes,there is no glamour and fullfilment in this disease.
Only pain & suffering / that leads some to the black hole of suicide.
Others,just teeterering on a cliff away.
Or flip the side where it’s like let’s shop,let’s party,let’s have a one nite stand!
Things I call my shady lady (manic) things I do I personally don’t find them AWESOME”
As when the high period is over I feel like a piece of shit,
Full of remorse & guilt.
So,whilst it’ll be interesting to see the amount of Kanyes album sales,
Die hard fans I think will stay that way,but we will see.
I’d like to know if it’s opiate addiction or a psych told him he was bipolar
Or Kanye made the entire thing up!
I’ll be watching the album sales
So ?Fellow BP friends
Hi Natasha: when this storyline was breaking originally it was in the TMZ newsroom.
Kanye yelling about slavery,then off on saying he had been on opiates for months ….
As he didn’t want to look fat like Rob!
Nice,huh?
Is it possible he’s addicted to opiates & they’ve caused manic reaction in him?
I know they effect everyone differently.
He did say he was taking a lot of them,not exactly or which sort.
Inevietiebly it doesn’t matter the trivia.
I just didn’t know if you knew that part besides the album.
Pls,I’m not defending him NO WAY
This man could cause plenty of trouble for our community of BPS.
Sad to hear of Kate Spade,made lovely bags,& wallets,jewellery etc…..
Always sad to hear.
No matter who it is……..
Instant karma is going to get you”
Remember that KANYE WEST
late to this party but rude enough to disagree, if only just a little — we bipoles are in fact superheroes, so long as superheroes are allowed to be damaged, sorrowful, despondent and damned, if only from time to time. even something as small as this constant burden of meds looms large for me. notwithstanding the shadow of death, our own and those we come to love. fountain of sorrow, mental illness you’ve hollowed my soul, but if this vessel be so gouged, does it not hold more joy?
late kate spade, i knew her not at all, not even the bags. her face on the news, i knew at once: she’s one of us. she was one of us. sold her company $2.4b, dead soon after, sounds like a bipole to me.
as a kid i shot out the lights. even now i burn the stray party to the ground. after all, was this life worth it after all? after all i say it’s worth it after all. je ne regrette rien.
Non, rien de rien, non, je ne regrette rien
Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait, ni le mal
Tout ça m’est bien égal
Non, rien de rien, non, je ne regrette rien
C’est payé, balayé, oublié, je me fous du passé…
Thank you Natasha for highlighting this issue.
Celebrities excuse their mental health problems as Bipolar with no diagnosis from medical professionals.
Hello Natasha
I live with Bipolar 1, the more serious of the three types. Kanye West is, in my humble opinion, minimalizing Bipolar Disorder. As mentioned before, I wouldnt wish my day to day life experiences with this dibilitating disease on anyone. Not knowing who you’re going to be when you wake up in the morning is in no way being a super hero. Having your mood change every hour, or less, is not being a super hero. Knowing that your moods and some actions because of those moods are scaring your family is not being a super hero. Being officially committed to a psychiatric facility against your will, again, does not make you a super hero.
I have to manage a boat load of meds daily. I have to juggle Psychiatrist and therapists appointments as well. All while maintaining a household.
If Mr. West has been really diagnosed with Bipolar, then maybe a little research into his condition might help him understand why he is not a super hero. A warrior maybe; but I wouldn’t make it anymore than that.
Kanye’s behaviour over the years has been a great example of someone who finds it impossible to accept that he could be in the wrong. I’m not bipolar but I get a sense that for those in mania, they can’t possibly see why or how there could be any way other than theirs. I do feel sorry for him. But I still think he’s a twat. I admire him for what he’s achieved. But I suspect he’s also left some carnage in his wake on the way to stardom. And I can’t help but raise an eyebrow and wonder if the “I’m bipolar” is just a publicity stunt aimed to gain attention and profit him (financially or emotionally … or both). To be honest, he didn’t need to go public about it – a simple “I’m sorry for being a twat and I need and want to be a better person” would have sufficed.
Thank you Natasha. When I read about Kanye’s “superpower” I took to FB to post about his irresponsibility in speaking about bipolar disorder as a positive. Bipolar Disorder is devastating and life-threatening for many of us. It ruins lives, destroys relationships and kills people. I get very angry when someone tries to minimize these things,when I have worked so hard to advocate for myself and my son, so we can get rid of the stigma that we just have to have a positive attitude and bipolar will disappear.
Question. What if Kanye is having an episode? And you’re dumping on him? He comes out about his illness in a unique way and you are stigmatizing him. Not everyone handles illness the same way. I wouldn’t say this but the comments about him being rich made me raise an eyebrow
You should have also noted he said that slavery was a choice, not something he’s going to be proud of when he is no longer flying on a manic high.
He’s not representative of any thing or anyone unless you’ve had similar psychosis, he’s sick. I doubt he’s going to become the poster child for bipolar any time soon.
I don’t understand why he’s famous period. It’s obscene to me that he has made money with what he does.
It’s also obscene to me that anyone thinks they have the ins and outs of bipolar figured out. I’ve been struggling since my teens and I’m 54 now in that time no one has ever stepped up as a perfect example of what this mental illness is supposed to be like. I don’t think anyone wants to or can. No two people are exactly alike. What works for one doesn’t work for all. So for fuck sake dont judge another bipolar persons psychosis. Is there something about his brand of bipolar that you can’t relate with? I find most of these articles informative. This one just stepped off too far into the land of judgement and stigmatizing a mentally ill person for my liking.
I forgot to add … maybe I swear so much I have become immune to it but I really didn’t notice when you swore! <>
Well said.
You showed incredible restraint regarding use of the naughty word. I’m imagining what your first cut looked like.
Maybe DSM-6 should add a new specifier for bipolar, “with enough money and handlers to fully deal with all consequences”
Hi Mark,
It’s true.
I’m more prone to swearing but I take it out because people have a fit about it online. I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m not an adult and they’re not adults. But people. Weird.
– Natasha Tracy
I have the same affliction. ? And the same reaction to people who get so huffy about some words (especially when visuals of shootings etc. they’re cool with)
Hi Natasha. Good article. I totally agree with you about him taking responsibility for causing people to minimize this illness. There’s nothing more irritating than hearing someone not believe in my illnesses. I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and it’s really being minimized like crazy. My doc believes in chronic fatigue, but not the syndrome. Very frustrating. Thanks for all you do.
Note to Kanye:
From what I read, you don’t seem to care about fellow former celebs like Robin Williams, Kate Spade (whose suicide was announced today), or maybe even those who’ve definitely died from bipolar depression, including fellow musician Kurt Kobaine.
Maybe, you don’t seem to care about the many adults, teens and children, without fame, who’ve died from bipolar disorder, like my 24 year old bipolar nephew who died one year ago next week from suicide.
Do you care that people like me lost their careers and financial stability because of mania and depressions, which often result in disability?
How about the many people with bipolar disorder that end up homeless on the streets and/or unable to pay for basic mental healthcare? Definitely not fancy celebrity posh rehabs!
You don’t seem to care that people like you don’t pay big prices, in many respects, for bipolar manic behavior that gets others in severe trouble.
You don’t seem to care that so many people in jails and prisons have mental illnesses, like bipolar disorder, when in the past they were helped in psychiatric hospitals instead.
You don’t seem to care that a disproportionate number of the people in those jails and prisons are people of color with bipolar and other mental illnesses, many of whom never received the same care as their Caucasian and Asian fellow citizens on the outside.
You don’t seem to care about the unfair negative stigma of bipolar mental illness and it’s perpetuation.
You don’t seem to care that influencing the young and old to possibly refuse mental health treatment could have devastating effects on their lives and many others’ in so many ways, the worst being death.
Or do you care about any of these things? Or am I right that you seem to only care more about yourself? I’d like to know.
Hi Elaine,
Thank you for this. It’s well stated and full of excellent points.
– Natasha Tracy
Well said.
This is a fantastic article and I completely agree with everything you wrote! Thank you for this. You are awesome. Hugs, Sue