This likely is more than just a drug addiction. He's got bipolar disorder. I've known someone who had that, and when they're on the right meds, they can live pretty normally. Stop taking the meds, though, and all sorts of **** can happen.
Very true. I have both bipolar and borderline personality. If I go two days without my medication I have withdrawal symptoyms (sweating, nausea, suicidal thoughts). I suspect a lot of addicts have underlying issues as well. Before I properly got diagnosed and treated I was drinking heavily and smoking weed whenever I could. Mental health is super tricky. If youre successful/high functioning enough no one sees anything wrong with you. Thats usually why it takes a crisis for someone to get help
Thanks for the honesty, and I'm glad that you've been able to navigate those difficult waters so far. From what I understand, the side effects of the common bipolar meds are enough to make you eventually think, "Screw this, I want to feel normal again." The problem is that "normal" for someone who's bipolar can lead to a lack of control, questionable decisions, etc. I'm sure you know this stuff much better than I do, as my exposure to this is thankfully limited. Kanye seems to be the poster boy for a bipolar person unable or unwilling to stay constantly on meds. This gets into some really tricky territory, where an artist might have a legitimate beef with the meds blunting his or her creativity. Anyway, I hate seeing these "street Delonte" updates every couple of years, because I always can't help but think that it's only a matter of time before he's hurt badly, or worse.
Oh yeah its hard. Its a lot of trial and error and what may work last year doesnt work now. There was probably some evolutionary advantage to being bipolar because your brain will adapt to your meds. Someone like Kanye needs the right meds. Its a shame he stigmatizes it more. I will say the hardest thing was being on anti psycjotics after COVID. I couldnt function was always hungry and tired. My parents accused me of being lazy and feeling sorry for myself but like how do you explain to your parents and doctor- this medication is not making me feel better! a lot of the hardcore anti psychs etc is designed to sedate a person. its why I only go to mebtal hospitals when Im suicidal. they dont help they just sedate everyone
I should also add, it doesn't help that there's still a big stigma against mental health treatment and also a view that addiction/poverty/depression is some sort of moral failing. Hell, you can see it in this thread
He is having a good conversation with that kid. It's nice to see that even though things are not good for him he is courteous,polite and engaging. Seems like a good dude.
