On Tuesday, Kim Kardashian released a statement on Instagram in response to the erratic behavior of her husband, Kanye West. In recent days, West published dozens of now deleted-tweets about a variety of topics and said he had been looking to divorce Kardashian “for several weeks.” He also made controversial statements about abolitionist Harriet Tubman during his first presidential rally in Charleston on Sunday night.
In her public statement, Kardashian reiterated that West had bipolar disorder, and claimed that she did not discuss Kanye’s behavior in the past because she wanted to respect the privacy of her husband and children. She also said she felt the need to speak up due to the misconceptions surrounding her husband’s mental illness.
Kim Kardashian releases a statement on Kanye West: pic.twitter.com/TThtLg8YD1
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 22, 2020
Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as “a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day to day tasks.” Conditions that often occur alongside bipolar disorder include ADHD, eating disorders, anxiety, and the misuse of drugs and alcohol.
Kardashian claimed that people who are not familiar with bipolar disorder shouldn’t pass judgement on West’s behavior since they could not understand what it was like to deal with a family member living with the illness. She also said that it was difficult to aid a bipolar family member who wasn’t a minor since it is completely up to that individual to get help.
Kardashian went on to apologize for West’s behavior. She said that West was passionate and very opinionated, and was subject to criticism due to his status as a public figure. She attributed the pressures of being an artist, a Black man and grieving his mother’s death as some of the reasons that handling West’s bipolar disorder was especially difficult now. Kardashian also explained that West didn’t set out to offend others, and “his words sometimes do not align with his intentions.”
Kardashian emphasized that her husband’s bipolar disorder did not affect his creative endeavors and that his ability to dream big is part of what made him a “genius”. She then asked that grace be given to both the issue of mental health and the individuals dealing with it, and asked for “compassion and empathy” to get them through this difficult time.
Kardashian’s statement was met with mixed responses on social media. Many were surprised at the eloquence and vulnerability of her statement and were happy to see that West had the support that he needed.
This is a really raw and honest statement and I wish the best for them both. Mental health issues affect everyone – not just the person dealing with them.
— Red (@Redpainter1) July 22, 2020
Not a Kardashian fan.
But this is dignified & classy.#Respect. https://t.co/HrYn4ra3TA— Melissa Jo Peltier (@MelissaJPeltier) July 22, 2020
As someone who has bipolar disorder, I want to thank @KimKardashian for this dignified, respectful and compassionate statement about her husband Kanye. Bipolar is complicated, it’s exhausting and it’s misunderstood. The stigma must stop. The shaming headlines must stop. pic.twitter.com/tKZuEgKCeh
— Jessica “מלכּה” Morgan™ (@jnoahmorgan) July 22, 2020
Others disagreed, and claimed that having bipolar disorder was no excuse for West’s actions, which added to the negative stigma around mental illness. Others pointed out that West’s wealth allowed him access to all the medical attention that he might need and that there was essentially no excuse for his behavior.
He’s mentally ill no doubt. Not laughing at that. However, where is her family to contain him and get him help. He needs his medication changed and to stay away from the public. I think it’s dangerous to keep him around his children. You have the money get him help.
— Never my President (@StillmanHolly) July 22, 2020
I too am BiPolar, but I have learned to know my boundaries! Obviously…Kanye is not there yet! He has no filter and some of the things he says is beyond ridiculous and hurtful to his family. He needs to take it down a couple of dozen notches! #bipolarandfunctional
— Kaydee O (@none12e) July 22, 2020
Regardless of whether or not people found favor with Kim Kardashian’s statement, most seemed to agree that West needed help and support.
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
International Society for Bipolar Disorder: https://www.isbd.org, 412-624-4407
National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml, 866-615-6464
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org, 800-950-6264
