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Kanye West reveals to Donald Trump that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder by doctor

‘He said that I actually wasn’t bipolar, I had sleep deprivation’

Sabrina Barr
Friday 12 October 2018 10:24 BST
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Kanye West on his bipolar misdiagnosis

Kanye West has revealed while speaking to the President of the United States that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The aim of West's meeting with Donald Trump was to discuss a number of issues, including job opportunities for former convicts and increasing the number of manufacturing jobs in Chicago, according to the New York Times.

During their interaction, they also spoke about topics such as the Northern Korean nuclear crisis, prison reform and mental health.

In a video shared by CBS Evening News, West explains in the Oval Office how a doctor had informed him that his initial bipolar diagnosis had not been accurate.

"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was connected with a neuropsychologist that works with the athletes in the NBA and the NFL, and he looked at my brain," West says.

“He said that I actually wasn’t bipolar, I had sleep deprivation, which could cause dementia 10 to 20 years from now where I wouldn’t even remember my son’s name,” West says, while sitting at the Resolute Desk opposite Donald Trump.

“I wouldn’t be able to remember his name from a misdiagnosis.”

Earlier this year, West opened up about his mental health while promoting his latest album Ye.

In an interview with American radio host Big Boy, he spoke about how he’d been diagnosed with a “mental health condition” at 39 years old.

“Everybody got something,” he said. “But, it’s like I said on the album, it’s not a disability but a superpower.”

West specifically references his bipolar disorder diagnosis in one of the songs on the album, titled “Yikes”, where he says: “That’s my bipolar s**t… That’s my superpower.”

The album’s cover also references the mental health condition, adorned with the caption: “I hate being bipolar, it’s awesome.”

According to Bipolar UK, research suggests that five per cent of the population may be on the bipolar spectrum.

However, symptoms of conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression and antisocial personality disorder can often be quite similar, as mental health charity Mind explains.

“Depending on your mood and what’s going on in your life when you speak to a mental health professional, they might find it hard to understand which diagnosis best fits your experiences,” the charity writes.

“If you’re worried that your diagnosis doesn’t fit the way you feel, it’s important to discuss it with a mental health professional so you can make sure you’re getting the right treatment for you."

If you need support or advice with regards to your mental health, you can contact charities including Mind, Samaritans, Sane and Mood Swings.

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