In our NYC therapy practice, we frequently see how bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses can still be seen as shameful, making it important to challenge this ongoing stigma. However, there is also a risk in romanticizing mental illness. Refinery29 recently asked Tribeca Therapy whether Kanye West was glamorizing mental illness on his new album Ye that refers to bipolar disorder, with which West is diagnosed, as a “superpower” in the song “Yikes.” Additionally, the album’s cover is also emblazoned with the phrase, “I hate being bipolar it’s awesome.” Speaking to writer Kimberly Truong, our director Matt considers the appeal of celebrating a mental illness like bipolar disorder as a means to counter shame or open conversations, as well as explores the potential dangerous consequences in calling the disorder a “superpower.”
Read more of “Is Kanye West Glamorizing Mental Illness In His Latest Album?” on Refinery29 here.
