Kim Kardashian asks for compassion as Kanye West struggles with bipolar disorder
Kim Kardashian’s comments followed another late night series of tweets from Kanye West, including one where he said he was trying to divorce Kardashian. His tweet was swiftly deleted.
by ReutersLOS ANGELES – Kim Kardashian said on Wednesday that her rapper husband Kanye West suffers from bipolar disorder and asked for compassion and empathy as he and his family try to manage his illness.
Kardashian’s statement on her Instagram stories account was her first public comment on weeks of rambling interviews, public appearances and Twitter comments by West that have raised concern about the Grammy-winning singer’s mental health.
“As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder,” she wrote, calling him a “brilliant but complicated person.”
Kardashian did not mention West’s stated plan to run for the White House in the November 2020 election. West held a rally in South Carolina at the weekend under his self-styled Birthday Party banner but has not outlined any coherent political policies.
“Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions,” Kardashian wrote.
Kardashian’s comments followed another late night series of tweets from West, including one where he said he was trying to divorce Kardashian. His tweet was swiftly deleted.
Earlier this week he said that his family was trying to get him committed to a psychiatric institution.
The couple married in 2014 and have four children.
Kardashian, a cosmetics businesswoman who first found fame on the TV reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, said she and her family were trying to get help for West, and spoke about the stigma and misunderstandings around mental health.
“Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behaviour know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor,” she said.
She said individuals themselves have to engage in the process of getting help, no matter how hard family and friends try.
“I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this,” she added.