Kanye West apologizes and discusses his battle with bipolar disorder in a full-page letter in the Wall Street Journal

Kanye West has bought a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal to address his increasingly out-of-control behavior, marked by outrageous and antisemitic attitudes shown in recent years, and to offer unreserved apologies “to those I have hurt.”

The 48-year-old rapper explained that his mental health had worsened due to an injury to the right frontal lobe of his brain, sustained in a car accident 25 years ago but "only correctly diagnosed in 2023." According to West, this "medical negligence caused serious damage to my mental health and led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type 1."

"I lost touch with reality," West said, referring to his recent behavior. "Things got worse because I ignored the problem for a long time. I said and did things I deeply regret. I treated some of the people I love most in the worst possible way. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the frustration of trying to stand by someone who, at times, was unrecognizable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self."

"In that fragmented state," he explained, "I latched onto the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, even going as far as selling t-shirts bearing it." "One of the hardest aspects of bipolar disorder type 1 are the moments of disconnection — many of which I still can't remember — that lead to poor judgment and reckless behavior, which often feel like an out-of-body experience." "I regret and am deeply ashamed of my actions in that state," West added, "and I am committed to taking responsibility, to getting treatment, and to real change. That said, this doesn't excuse what I did. I am not a Nazi nor an antisemite. I love Jewish people."

West said he hit rock bottom "a few months ago" and found comfort "in Reddit forums." "Different people talk about having been through manic or depressive episodes of a similar nature. I read their stories and realised I wasn't alone." Since then, he claims to have found "a new balance and a new centre thanks to an effective regimen of medication, therapy, physical activity and healthy living." He also said he is "channelling my energy into positive and 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 do hope to earn your forgiveness," West concluded. "I write today only to ask for patience and understanding as I try to find my way back home."

Below, Kanye West's full apology letter:

To those I have hurt:

Twenty-five years ago I was involved in a car accident that broke my jaw and caused an injury to the right frontal lobe of my brain. At the time, attention was focused on the visible damage: the fracture, the swelling and the immediate physical trauma. The deeper injury, the one inside the skull, went unnoticed.

No thorough scans were carried out, neurological exams were limited, and the possibility of frontal lobe damage was never considered. The correct diagnosis only came in 2023. This medical negligence caused serious harm to my mental health and led to a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar disorder has its own defence system: denial. When you're in a manic phase you don't think you're ill. You think everyone else is overreacting. You feel like you're seeing the world with a clarity you've never had before, when in reality you're completely losing your grip on reality.

When people label you "crazy," you feel like you can no longer contribute anything meaningful to the world. It's easy to joke about it, but in truth it's a very serious and debilitating illness, one you can die from. According to the World Health Organization and the University of Cambridge, people with bipolar disorder have a life expectancy reduced by ten to fifteen years on average, and an all-cause mortality rate two to three times higher than the general population. It's comparable to serious heart disease, type 1 diabetes, HIV and cancer: all conditions that are lethal if left untreated.

The most frightening thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: you don't need help. It blinds you, yet convinces you that you have clarity. You feel powerful, confident, unstoppable.

I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret. I treated some of the people I love most in the worst possible way. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation and the exhaustion of trying to stand by someone who, at times, was unrecognisable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self.

In that fragmented state, I latched onto the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, even going so far as to sell t-shirts bearing it. One of the hardest aspects of bipolar I disorder are the moments of disconnection – many of which I still can't remember – that lead to poor judgement and reckless behaviour, which often feel like an out-of-body experience. I regret and am deeply ashamed of my actions in that state, and I am committed to taking responsibility, to treatment and to real change. But that doesn't excuse what I did. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.

To the Black community, which has stood by me through every high and low and in the darkest moments: the Black community is, without a doubt, the foundation of who I am. I am deeply sorry for letting you down. I love our community.

At the start of 2025 I fell into a four-month manic episode, marked by psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior, that destroyed my life. As things became increasingly unbearable, there were moments when I no longer wanted to be here.

Having bipolar disorder means living in a constant state of mental illness. When you enter a manic episode, in that moment you are sick. When you're not in an episode, you're completely "normal." And that's when the wreckage left behind by the illness hits hardest. After hitting rock bottom a few months ago, my wife encouraged me to finally seek help.

I found comfort in Reddit forums, incredibly enough. Different people share stories of having gone through manic or depressive episodes of a similar nature. I read their stories and realized I wasn't alone. I'm not the only one who completely wrecks his own life once a year, despite taking medication every day and being reassured by what are supposedly the best doctors in the world, according to whom I'm not bipolar but simply experiencing "symptoms of autism."

My words, as a leader within my community, carry global impact and influence. In my mania I completely lost sight of that fact.

As I find a new balance and a new center through an effective regimen of medication, therapy, exercise and healthy living, I've reached a new and necessary clarity. I'm channeling 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 hope to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for patience and understanding as I try to find my way back home.

With love,

Ye

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