- Describe major depressive disorder, related disorders, and their risk factors
- Describe bipolar disorder and its risk factors
- Describe genetic, biological, and psychological explanations of major depressive disorder
- Discuss the relationship between mood disorders and suicidal ideation, as well as factors associated with suicide
The rapper Kanye West, more recently known as Ye has been very vocal in recent years about his bipolar disorder diagnosis. Many who were unaware of his diagnosis questioned some of his behaviors during mania and ultimately judged him because of it. However, since he has shared that he has a psychological disorder—some have shown empathy.
Watch this clip in which Kanye West (who now goes by Ye) speaks with Jimmy Kimmel about living with bipolar disorder. As a public figure, Ye has openly discussed his mental health, which has led to widespread public attention—and often misunderstanding—of his behavior.
Across various highly publicized moments, Ye has described experiences that he connects to bipolar disorder, including periods of intense emotion, rapid shifts in thought, and heightened confidence. In interviews, he has spoken about feeling pressured by public expectations related to appearance, undergoing cosmetic procedures, and later struggling with opioid use following surgery. In other widely shared events—such as interrupting an award acceptance speech or announcing a presidential campaign—his actions drew strong reactions from the public and media.
In video clips from interviews and public appearances, people noticed patterns consistent with manic behavior, such as:
- rapid shifts from one topic to another,
- intense or pressured speech, and
- strong expressions of confidence in ideas or plans.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder in a Public Context
As Ye describes in this interview, he has experienced manic episodes, which he connects to his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In clinical terms, mania is defined as a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, along with abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least one week and present most of the day, nearly every day (APA).
During manic episodes, mood and behavior can change in noticeable ways. Some individuals experience elevated or euphoric mood and become unusually talkative or socially outgoing, while others become highly irritable or reactive. Speech may be rapid and pressured, and people may experience a flight of ideas or feelings of grandiosity.
When these experiences occur in private settings, they can already be disruptive and distressing. When they occur under constant public and media scrutiny—as is often the case for celebrities—the effects may be amplified. Public reactions may focus on behavior without understanding the underlying mental health context, which can contribute to stigma, oversimplification, or harmful assumptions.
In your own words, define flight of ideas. Describe how this symptom might affect a person’s thinking or communication during a manic episode.
What is grandiosity in the context of bipolar disorder or mania?