For the fans that have stuck by their beloved idol who they claim as the greatest rapper of all time, for the anti-fans who think the man needs some serious psychological treatment, I am here to break down and answer the question we have all been contemplating. Is Kanye really crazy? Now, who am I to answer this question you may ask? Just a 20-year-old college student not overly obsessed with the man, but I can appreciate his music and fashion. Therefore, think of me as a mediator with no biases that will settle this question once and for all. A spectator on the sidelines. And from what I have been spectating, the man is, in fact, actually crazy. By Google, the word crazy is defined as “mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way.” This behavior is often seen through Kanye’s encounters with the paparazzi, his posts on social media, and his general actions in the public eye. Think of every run-in Kanye West has had with the paparazzi. Wild. Aggressive. Through all of his interactions whether it be in-person or online, he exhibits signs of megalomania. He also has a history of bipolar disorder and the impact of his mother’s death took a toll on his mental health. These three reasons are sufficient enough to deem Kanye as crazy.
Starting off with the first reason I listed, he is a megalomaniac. For those who do not know what megalomania is, www. Merriam-Webster.com defines it as “a delusional mental illness that is marked by feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur.” In other words, it’s obsessing over your power or value and Kanye loves to do that. He loved to do it so much that he attempted to run in the most recent presidential election. He also compares himself to Jesus and other important Biblical figures. Not only does he display symptoms of this mental illness, but the people closest to him have also characterized the man as a megalomaniac. An article from www.nydailynew.com titled “Kanye West’s former bodyguard blasts the rapper, calls him a spoiled, megalomaniacal control freak” just proves his craziness. His refusal to push elevator buttons himself and control others only exhibits underlying mental issues.
Moving on, Kanye’s history with bipolar disorder is no secret. It is another reason why Kanye is a little coo-coo in the head. According to www.mentalhealth.org, “People with a bipolar disorder experience both episodes of severe depression, and episodes of mania – overwhelming joy, excitement or happiness, huge energy, a reduced need for sleep, and reduced inhibitions. The experience of bipolar is uniquely personal. No two people have exactly the same experience.” Given this information, Kanye’s experience with bipolar disorder is utterly unique in the sense that he is not just a famous individual, but is constantly in the spotlight. Such spotlight and fame could aggrandize his condition. It only worsens his current state. He was diagnosed in 2016 and sought psychiatric care. Being the celebrity he is, think of bipolar disorder, but times 100.
The death of a loved one can take a toll on many in various ways. The death of a parent, whether one is close with them or not, is life-changing but it can affect each person differently. In Kanye’s case, he completely lost it. On November 10, 2007, Donda West underwent plastic surgery, paid for by Kanye, and after experiencing complications, passed away of a heart attack at the age of 58. He blamed himself for the occurrence and still holds that guilt to this day. He named one of his most recent and 10th studio album after his late mother. Ulysses Blakely, a former boyfriend to Donna who helped raise Kanye, said “he has not recovered from the loss of his mother. They had such a close bond.” www.diversityinc.com breaks down the psychological effects of his age at the time of his mother’s passing saying “during those years of life, self-awareness and identity development occur, according to Erik Erikson’s psychological research.” It goes on to say “unsuccessful identity formation leads to ‘crisis’ where an individual is constantly struggling to find themselves into adulthood,’ according to Dr. Rachel Kitson’s ‘A Psychologist’s Perspective on Kanye West.’ Psychological crises can occur if task failure results in feeling inferior or if role confusion occurs. Expectations from themselves and from people around them can trigger it.” He was never the same.
Kanye West, the rapper and infamous social media blogger we know him to be, is by Google’s definition, crazy. He is suffering from multiple mental illnesses that are only heightened and triggered by his profession and attention from the public. His megalomaniac traits, bipolar episodes, and the passing of his mother allude to the fact that he is not just crazy, but needs professional help. Anyways, have you guys seen Kim Kardashian’s recent Instagram post? Hashtag couple goals.
