Kanye West reveals Bianca Censori helped him uncover autism diagnosis after doubting his bipolar disorder
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rapper and fashion mogul Kanye West opened up about his journey to an accurate diagnosis, revealing how his wife, Bianca Censori, played a pivotal role in his discovery of autism after he was initially misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder.
West, who goes by Ye, shared that Censori, with her "educated" approach, encouraged him to seek a second opinion after expressing doubts about the original diagnosis.
Reflecting on his struggles with his neurodevelopmental disorder, West also discussed the reasons behind his decision to avoid medication while navigating his challenges.
Kanye West reveals he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder
In a revealing interview on the 'Download' podcast titled 'THE DOWNLOAD: JUSTIN LABOY + YE', released on Tuesday, February 4, Kanye West shared how his wife, Bianca Censori, played a crucial role in helping him get re-diagnosed after observing his behavior.
West explained that Censori encouraged him to consult a new doctor, who reportedly had worked with celebrities like Justin Bieber.
"My wife took me because she said, ‘Something about your personality doesn’t feel like it’s bipolar, I’ve seen bipolar before.' She's educated," West told host Justin LaBoy.
He went on to reveal the surprising diagnosis, saying, "And come to find out, it’s really a case of autism that I have."
West also shared that he had been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a medical professional, but Censori’s persistence led him to seek a second opinion.
Reflecting on the impact of his neurodevelopmental disorder, West compared it to the 'Rain Man' portrayal from the 1988 film, in which a man discovers his brother has autism.
Additionally, during the interview, West discussed his past decision to wear a MAGA hat, explaining that his support for President Trump was rooted in admiration for him in general.
Kanye West shares how he reacted while struggling with mental illness
Kanye West also opened up about the challenges of dealing with his mental health struggles and how they impacted his ability to meet fans' expectations.
He explained, "And when people tell you to not do it…and that’s my problem, when fans tell me to do my album a certain way, I’ll do it the opposite way."
West also reflected on some of his past behavior, including posting a series of strange messages on social media. He shared, "A lot of what was sending me into the episodes, the constant feeling of not being in control spun me out of control."
The 'Heartless' singer confirmed that he hasn't turned to medication for help since discovering he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. He explained his reluctance to take medication, saying it would "block the creativity," which he views as a key part of his artistry.
"That’s what I bring to the world," he added. West also admitted to screaming at people while working together, acknowledging that he didn’t "understand that that’s what [he] was doing."
Since receiving a proper diagnosis, he has learned to recognize the warning signs of an episode before it happens. "I watch for it beforehand, but other times it was just like, if you get to the point where it goes, you’re gonna stay in that position for a while. It might go for three days, four days a week."
