For the first time since Kanye West’s presidential campaign launch, Kim Kardashian acknowledged her husband’s bipolar disorder and asked for “compassion and empathy” from the media on her Instagram Live feed, explaining that life has been complicated for her family and West.
As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder. Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how complicated and painful it is to understand. I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.
Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor. People who are unaware or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try.
I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions. He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressure being an artist and a Black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder.Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions.
Living with bipolar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his dreams have come true.
We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole; however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it the most. I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well being and for your understanding.
With Love and Gratitude,
Kim Kardashian West
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Above taken from Kim Kardashian West Instagram story found here: https://www.instagram.com/kimkardashian/
On Tuesday, in a series of since-deleted Twitter posts, West, 43, reportedly tweeted “Kriss and Kim put out a statement without my approval ... that’s not what a wife should do,” according to People. He also wrote that he’s been considering divorcing his wife. In another post he called out Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner. On Monday, he claimed his wife tried to lock him up. And on Sunday at his political rally, the 21-time Grammy winner became tearful while talking about his mother, who died following plastic surgery complications in 2007.
The rapper initially announced his candidacy for the presidency on July 4. Days later, he told Forbes magazine that he, who once praised President Donald Trump and said the two share “dragon energy,” was “taking the red hat off” — a reference to Trump’s trademark red “Make America Great Again” cap.
West, who said that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, told the magazine that he planned to model his White House on the fictional land in “Black Panther” if he won the presidency, adding “Let’s get back to Wakanda.”
West and Kardashian West were married in 2014 and have four children.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.