Kanye West, now known as Ye, made a surprising claim during a recent appearance on The Download podcast with Justin LaBoy. The rapper stated that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and actually has autism. He credited his wife, Bianca Censori, for encouraging him to reevaluate his mental health.
Kanye West Rejects Bipolar Diagnosis
“My wife took me because she said, ‘Something about your personality doesn’t feel like it’s bipolar, I’ve seen bipolar before,’” West explained. “And come to find out, it’s really a case of autism that I have.”
West, 47, has been open about his struggles with mental health in the past. In 2018, he revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 39. At the time, he referred to it as a “superpower.” Now, he believes the diagnosis was incorrect.
During the interview, West elaborated on how his autism influences his actions and decision-making. He described a pattern where he becomes fixated on doing the opposite of what people expect or advise.
“You’re like, ‘Oh man, I’m gonna wear this [Donald] Trump hat ‘cause I just like Trump in general,’” West said. “And when people tell you to not do it… and that’s my problem. When fans tell me to do my album a certain way, I’ll do it the opposite way.”
West also confirmed that he no longer takes medication for bipolar disorder, believing it was not the right treatment for him. “I haven’t taken the medication since I found out it wasn’t bipolar, that it wasn’t the right diagnosis,” he said. “It’s finding stuff that doesn’t block the creativity, obviously that’s what I bring to the world. It’s worth the ramp up, as long as y’all get the creativity.”
His statement is expected to generate significant discussion, especially given his past remarks on mental health. In 2023, leaked text messages between West and Elon Musk showed him making a similar claim about having autism. His recent comments may reshape public perception of his past behavior and artistic choices.
West’s revelation adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about mental health in the entertainment industry. His fans and critics alike will likely continue debating his self-diagnosis and its implications for his career and personal life.