A raw look at Kanye West’s life and mental health
The controversial rapper and designer Kanye West has generated concern by confirming in the trailer for his upcoming documentary “In Whose Name?” that he has not followed his pharmacological treatment for five months. The production, directed by Nicolas Ballesteros after six years of filming, exposes intimate moments of her relationship with Kim Kardashian, including moving discussions where she tries to contain her emotional crises.
Conflicting diagnoses and the role of Bianca Censori
West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, a condition characterized by extreme fluctuations between states of mania and depression. However, in 2025 he suggested that his wife Bianca Censori identified symptoms compatible with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a theory supported by consulted specialists. This neurodevelopmental disorder affects communication and cognitive flexibility, different from bipolarity although with possible comorbidities.
In statements to the The Download podcast, the artist described how everyday activities—from managing finances to interacting on networks—become overwhelming challenges. “I’d rather be dead than medicated,” he states categorically in the documentary, linking his artistic creativity to his neurodivergence: “Being bipolar and an artist means that everything I do is art.”
Family tensions and public legacy
The audiovisual material shows unpublished scenes of the marriage with Kardashian, divorced in 2022 after seven years of relationship and four children together. In one fragment, Kim bursts into tears when remembering drastic changes in her personality: “You weren’t like that before.” The ex-couple maintains legal disputes over custody, especially due to the media exposure of the minors.
The trailer also reviews controversial milestones: his Sunday Service (spiritualized musical rituals), the failed 2024 presidential bid, and shocking confessions like “I almost killed my son.” Mental health experts consulted emphasize that abandoning treatments without professional supervision can aggravate symptoms of both bipolarity and ASD.
Impact and projection
The documentary, scheduled to premiere on September 19 in select US theaters, promises to reignite debates about fame, psychological health and public responsibility. Analysts anticipate it will delve deeper into how misdiagnoses affect marginalized communities, particularly the African-American population.
Do you reflect on how the media portrays mental health struggles? Share this analysis with your networks and explore our coverage of art and neurodiversity.
Sources: DSM-5 diagnostic manual, National Institute of Mental Health, interviews with neurodevelopmental specialists.




