Looking at the Way We Talk About Bipolar Disorder

Words like 'unhinged,' 'insane,' and 'psychotic' have all been used to describe Kanye West’s behavior in recent weeks. Outbursts, twitter pleas to his wife, Kim Kardashian, and threats to her current boyfriend Pete Davidson have been met with understandable alarm.

There’s also been a rush to pass judgement accompanied by potentially dangerous and demonizing language when it comes to his mental health. West has been public about his bipolar disorder in recent years. While Ye’s condition is not an excuse for harassment or dangerous behavior we should exercise caution and be very clear in how we characterize and talk about his bipolar disorder. 

We look at bipolar disorder, the stigmatizing language used to describe West, and more with freelance journalist Kiana Fitzgerald who recently wrote, “Bipolar disorder is complicated. So is how we talk about Ye” for Vox.