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Kanye West praised for talking about bipolar disorder: 'It's like a sprained brain'

Kayne West opened up about his mental health challenges on David Letterman. [Photo: Getty]
Kayne West opened up about his mental health challenges on David Letterman. [Photo: Getty]

Kanye West revealed the challenges he has faced as a result of bipolar disorder in a candid interview with David Letterman.

David Letterman asked him to describe how bipolar impacts his brain.

The rapper was on Letterman’s new Netflix show ‘This Guest Needs No Introduction’.

The host asked: “What is the mechanism that is malfunctioning or taking a break in your brain? Do you know?”

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Kayne responded: “I wouldn’t be able to explain that as much, because I’m not a doctor. I can just tell you what I’m feeling at the time.”

“I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I’m ramping up.”

He went on to describe bipolar as a “health issue” equivalent to a sprained ankle.

“This is like a sprained brain, like having a sprained ankle and if someone has a sprained ankle, you’re not going to push on him more.”

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Kanye revealed how he feels that people do “everything to make it worse”.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects your moods, swinging them from one extreme to another.

According to the NHS, symptoms can range from feeling depressed, low and lethargic to feeling manic, high and overactive.

There has been an outpouring of praise on social media after highlights of his interview were shared.

Kim Kardashian shared a video of the rapper’s interview with the applause emoji in the caption.

One woman wrote: “Much respect for this man to come out and speak of his own mental illness & in doing so helping so many others.”

Others shared similar experiences they’ve had with people they know to open up the conversation.

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One woman wrote: “It was always obvious to me that’s what was going on with him which is why I never judged him. I happen to know someone that acts the very same way when he’s manic. Nice work Ye.”

Kanye’s not the first celebrity of the week to reveal he’s suffering from mental health issues.

‘Game Of Thrones’ star, Kit Harrington, checked into rehab to deal with “personal issues”.

Fans have announced how proud they are of the celebrities who are open about their mental health battles and many have said it makes them feel “less alone” in their own challenges.

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