Mental health is one of the most pervasive health conditions facing human beings, yet it has historically received minimal attention. However, in recent years there have been efforts to spotlight mental illness, including the designation of October 10 as mental health awareness day. Mental health disorders can affect any member of society, including famous individuals. One of the influential members of society likely suffering from a mental illness is Kanye West. Kanye West is one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation. Additionally, he has made a considerable impact within the fashion industry, as evidenced by his creation of the Yeezys fashion brand (Sarlin, 2022). Subsequently, he is regarded as one of the richest African Americans. This is a considerable achievement considering the social, economic, and political inequalities that African Americans have to contend with. However, in recent times Kanye West has appeared to be unpredictable in his temper and actions. He has been on record making uncharacteristic comments against his fellow creatives. Moreover, his erratic behavior contributed to his divorce and subsequent threats directed toward his former wife’s then-boyfriend (Parry, 2021). However, his utterances came to a head after he was accused of perpetuating anti-Semitism. He has been found to exhibit signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Kanye West’s behavior mirror that of an individual suffering from bipolar disorder. The following essay will assess bipolar disorder, including its signs and therapy, using Kanye West as the case study.
Extreme mood fluctuations, including emotional highs and lows, are symptoms of bipolar disorder, a mental health disease. When depressed, a person may experience sadness or hopelessness and lose interest in or enjoyment most activities (Dodd et al., 2017). On the other hand, whether they experience mania or hypomania, they may experience euphoria, excessive energy, or extraordinary irritability. These mood changes can affect the capacity to think clearly, energy levels, activities, judgment, and behavior. Mood swing episodes may happen infrequently or repeatedly (Dodd et al., 2017). In addition, most people will have emotional side effects between bouts. Bipolar disorder is a lifetime diagnosis, but by adhering to a treatment plan, people can control their changes in mood and other symptoms. Bipolar disorder is typically treated with pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy. Kanye West might be afflicted with one of three bipolar disorders. At least one manic episode and multiple hypomanic episodes are characteristics of bipolar type 1. Less severe than manic episodes are hypomanic episodes (Bartoli et al., 2017). Significant depressive episodes that may last at least a fortnight characterize bipolar II. Episodes of hypomania occur more frequently. Nevertheless, this disease is more likely to affect women (Naguy, 2017). The final form of bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, sometimes co-occurs with periods of hypomania and sadness. This type of bipolar disorder is frequently milder than other forms of depression.
Kanye West displays all the symptoms of bipolar disorder, including episodes of mania, despair, and abrupt mood shifts. In order to ensure that his health improves, he must have access to therapy and pharmacology treatment alternatives. One of the options unavailable to Kanye West is Tajik therapy. One of the most effective talk therapy techniques available to Kanye West is cognitive behavior therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change the automatic negative thoughts that may intensify and contribute to emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety (Chiang et al., 2017). These unrestrained unwanted thoughts have a bad effect on one’s mood. The fundamental tenet of cognitive behavior therapy holds that psychiatric illnesses result from flawed thinking, making it an effective treatment option. However, learned patterns of undesirable behavior can also contribute to the onset of bipolar episodes. Subsequently, cognitive behavior therapy addresses bipolar by enabling Kanye West to identify negative thought patterns that could trigger his bipolar episodes (Jones et al., 2015). Additionally, the therapy approach is essential in enabling Kanye West to effectively control his emotions and stress, hence having more influence over his episodes. However, this approach is quite short-term and should ideally take 5 to twenty sessions. The pharmacology treatment option for bipolar disorder includes the use of lithium tablets. Lithium is a mood stabilizer and effectively addresses manic and depression episodes(Scott et al., 2018). However, it is prudent for the drug to be administered by a medical professional to avoid the development of lithium toxicity. The pills can be taken for two weeks.
The case of Kanye West is used as the basis for the paper’s analysis of bipolar disorder. One of the wealthiest African Americans is Kanye West. His wealth has grown thanks to the sales of his music and money from high-end businesses like Yeezys. However, Kanye West has recently displayed symptoms and indicators of bipolar disorder. These include mania and sadness, among others. In particular, he has been accused of dispersing antiemetic thoughts and producing death remedies. It seems likely that his disorder influenced his divorce. Mood fluctuations characterize a mental disorder called bipolar. Major manic episodes give way to major depressive episodes in the patient’s mood. Additionally, the victim is frequently unwell and could lose interest in things they used to enjoy. In the case of Kanye West, this is obvious. Bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia are different types of illness. Cyclothymia is the least severe, while bipolar II is more likely to affect women. West might therefore be experiencing bipolar I. numerous treatment alternatives are available to West. The talking therapy approach is cognitive behavioral therapy, while the pharmacological alternative is taking a lithium tablet.
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