Kanye West explains incident that ‘led to’ bipolar disorder as he issues lengthy apology to ‘those he’s hurt’

Warning: This article contains discussion of anti-semitism which some readers may find distressing.

Kanye West has issued an apology after paying for an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, which details an incident he believes caused his struggles with bipolar disorder.

West has been embroiled in many controversial moments since rising to the top of the music charts in 2004 and beyond, but there was nothing quite like the events that occurred after his divorce from Kim Kardashian.

From that, West, who formally goes by 'Ye', remarried and began a new life with Bianca Censori, continued with his fashion label... and then things got offensive.

Last year, a Jewish Yeezy employee sued the rapper after making allegations of antisemitic and sexist comments, and an instance where he allegedly called himself a 'Nazi' and compared himself to Adolf Hitler.

Kanye West penned an apology (DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

It was filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court on February 11, 2025, and claimed he called the woman 'ugly' and declared 'Heil Hitler'.

The suit also alleges he text two staffers saying: "Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler."

West was also dropped by his talent agency following a string of controversial comments made on Twitter.

He later appeared to claim his wife had left him, that there were many people out there who were not supportive of him, and released a song called 'Heil Hitler'.

West, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I in 2016, recently paid for an ad in the famed Journal, which seems to hash out the reason for his behavior and 'manic' moments.

The rapper sparked controversy over his anti-Semitic remarks (Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)

He addressed the letter to 'Those I’ve Hurt' and explained that his controversies stemmed from a tragic car accident in 2002.

As reported by Vanity Fair, he wrote: "Twenty-five years ago, I was in a car accident that broke my jaw and caused injury to the right frontal lobe of my brain. At the time, the focus was on the visible damage - the fracture, the swelling, and the immediate physical trauma. The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed."

Claiming that 'comprehensive scans were not done' and that 'neurological exams were limited', a 'frontal-lobe injury was never raised' until he was diagnosed in 2023.

"That medical oversight caused serious damage to my mental health and led to my bipolar type-1 diagnosis," West claimed.

He explained that when you have bipolar disorder, a personality disorder that can cause a person to experience highs and lows and erratic behavior and thoughts, you have 'denial' as your 'defense system'.

West noted that his wife convinced him to seek help (Peter White/Getty Images)

"When you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick. You think everyone else is overreacting. You feel like you’re seeing the world more clearly than ever, when in reality you’re losing your grip entirely," he wrote.

After touching on the fact that people have joked about him, the rapper apologized, writing: "I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret. Some of the people I love the most, I treated the worst. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the exhaustion of trying to have someone who was, at times, unrecognizable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self."

Revealing why antisemitism seemingly became his main focus, he said: "In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold T-shirts bearing it. One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-1 are the disconnected moments - many of which I still cannot recall - that led to poor judgment and reckless behavior that oftentimes feels like an out-of-body-experience. I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people."

Finally, he spoke of those who support him, and how he has been working through his mental health.

He opened up about his diagnosis (Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

West penned: "To the black community - which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times. The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.

"In early 2025, I fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life. As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn’t want to be here anymore.

"Having bipolar disorder is notable state of constant mental illness. When you go into a manic episode, you are ill at that point. When you are not in an episode, you are completely ‘normal’. And that’s when the wreckage from the illness hits the hardest.

"Hitting rock bottom a few months ago, my wife encouraged me to finally get help.

"I have found comfort in Reddit forums of all places. Different people speak of being in manic or depressive episodes of a similar nature. I read their stories and realized that I was not alone. It’s not just me who ruins their entire life once a year despite taking meds every day and being told by the so-called best doctors in the world that I am not bipolar, but merely experiencing “symptoms of autism.”

"My words as a leader in my community have global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that.

"As I find my new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise, and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity. I am pouring my energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world.

"I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”

"With love, Ye."

UNILAD has reached out to Kanye West's representatives for comment.

If you are the victim of an antisemitic incident or you have information regarding an antisemitic incident that happened to somebody else, contact the Stand With Us Number on 310 836 6140. In an emergency, always call 911.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.