Kanye West reveals he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder

Controversial rapper Kanye ‘Ye’ West has revealed that he has autism and believes he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016.  

Ye publicly embraced the bipolar label, even calling it his “superpower” on his album ‘ye’. However, he has now refuted the diagnosis.

Speaking on The Download with Justin Laboy, West revealed that his wife Bianca Censori suggested that he get re-diagnosed.

“My wife took me because she said, ‘Something about your personality doesn’t feel like it’s bipolar, I’ve seen bipolar before.’ And come to find out, it’s really a case of autism that I have.”

The US National Institute for Mental Health defines autism spectrum disorder as "a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave." 

Ye explained that his autism diagnosis now helps him understand his erratic behaviour.  

“Autism takes you to a Rain Man thing,” he said – referencing the 1988 Oscar-winning film about a man who discovers he has a brother with autism. 

“‘Oh man, I’ma wear this Trump hat because I like Trump in general’. And then when people tell you to not do it, you just get on that one point. And that’s my problem.” 

He also revealed that he’s since stopped taking his bipolar disorder medication as he believes it has been negatively impacting his creativity.  

“I haven’t taken the medication since I found out it wasn’t bipolar, that it wasn’t the right diagnosis. 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.” 

Creativity would be better than the social media outbursts, controversial statements and antisemitic comments which led his then-wife Kim Kardashian to previously call for “compassion” for his "compulsive behaviour." 

It remains to be seen whether those who are affected by the neurodevelopmental disorder will see Ye’s statements as positive sign to encourage people to seek professional advice and not self-diagnose; or if these recent comments come off as a quick-fix excuse to legitimize highly offensive behaviour or move the spotlight away from sexual assault allegations.

The autism reveal comes just days after Kanye and Censori sparked controversy on the red carpet for the 67th Grammy Awards. Censori revealed a see-through dress and appeared completely nude.

Despite rumours that Censori could be facing legal action for indecent exposure, it has been reported that LAPD sources confirmed that there won’t be any legal consequences from the stunt – via TMZ. This is because the Grammy Awards is a private event and no one from the show made a complaint to the police.

West has since claimed that he and his wife “beat the Grammys”.