{"id":497151,"date":"2026-02-22T17:15:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T17:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/497151\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T17:15:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T17:15:21","slug":"kanye-wests-bipolar-excuse-aussie-mum-details-the-realities-of-living-with-misunderstood-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/497151\/","title":{"rendered":"Kanye West\u2019s bipolar excuse: Aussie mum details the realities of living with misunderstood disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

When rapper Kanye West<\/a> publicly apologised for years of erratic behaviour and anti-Semitic rants, the musician said untreated bipolar disorder had played a major role.<\/p>\n

The American rapper, now known as Ye, took out a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal to apologise for his controversial comments that have drawn years of backlash.<\/p>\n

His statement has reignited conversation about bipolar disorder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

For Hannah Gartrell, 36, that conversation is deeply personal.<\/p>\n

The mother-of-one from Wollongong, NSW, began self-harming as a teenager and by the age of 20 was on anti-depressants.<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t until her third diagnosis that she began to accept and learn to live with bipolar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, she\u2019s bravely sharing her story to raise awareness about the mental health condition that is often misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t believe it because I had a lot of preconceptions about bipolar, so I got a second opinion which confirmed the diagnosis,\u201d she told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut nonetheless, I still just felt a lot of stigma about it. So, I only stayed on my medication for a few months and then came off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MotherMother of one Hannah Gartrell from Wollongong has shared realities of living with bipolar, in the wake of after Kanye West\u2019s apology. Credit: Supplied\/Nick O\u2019Neill Photography\"ItIt took years for Hannah Gartrell to accept her diagnosis and learn to live with bipolar. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

For the next decade, her mental health fluctuated.<\/p>\n

At 30, following a medical procedure, she sought help again. After months of trialling different medications \u2014 and experiencing suicidal thoughts \u2014 she voluntarily admitted herself to a private psychiatric facility, where she was diagnosed again in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my third diagnosis but the one that actually stuck,\u201d Gartrell said.<\/p>\n

Why bipolar is misdiagnosed <\/p>\n

Bipolar disorder \u2014 previously known as manic-depressive illness \u2014 involves cycles between depression and elevated moods, known as mania (elation). In young people, it can initially present as depression, making diagnosis complex.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the signs of bipolar is that when you\u2019re put on anti-depressants it actually makes things worse for you,\u201d Gartrell explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can have the opposite effect where it sends you into what is called mixed cycling. So, you\u2019ll be depressed, but you then also have some of the negative symptoms of an elevated episode.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor some people it means that you\u2019re really depressed but you have enough energy to do something about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a really high suicide risk during those periods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Australian research<\/a> shows from the average age of symptom onset \u2014 around 17 years old \u2014 there is a delay of approximately 12-and-a-half years before a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made.<\/p>\n

For Gartrell, acceptance took even longer.<\/p>\n

\u2018You think you can do anything and are untouchable\u2019<\/p>\n

One of the hardest parts, Gartrell said, comes after an episode ends.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really hard feeling because even though it\u2019s you, you\u2019re as much of a spectator as anyone else,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

During elevated periods \u2014 marked by heightened energy, impulsivity and inflated self-belief \u2014 she said there are other factors at play, even though it is still her speaking and acting.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, she often feels the need to explain herself.<\/p>\n

\"RapperRapper Kanye West apologised after years of erratic behaviour and anti-Semitic remarks. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

Speaking about West\u2019s statement, she said: \u201cIt would be so hard because not only do you have the elevation and the mood changes, but you have the platform for everyone to see it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

While she can\u2019t comment on the rapper\u2019s personal experience, Gartrell said episodes can bring an overwhelming sense of confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you can do anything and are untouchable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that\u2019s even more amplified the more severe your bipolar is. And if you had the resources Kanye has and the public platform he has, it would be very easy to increase the damage that you could do and the damage you would feel you would need to repair afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gartrell said she hopes his apology is genuine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know some of the things he\u2019s said have caused a lot of pain for different communities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The shames that lingers <\/p>\n

Gartrell believes denial and shame made it difficult to accept her earlier diagnoses.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was carrying a lot of stigma in my own mind about it and I still encounter that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially around dating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HannahHannah Gartrell said explaining the diagnosis to her eight-year-old son has required honesty and reassurance. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

Gartrell separated from her husband four years ago. While her family and friends have been supportive, she said dating has presented its own challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably where I\u2019ve had the most negative experiences around being open with bipolar,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople seem to think that bipolar is just moodiness and mood swings. I think there is this misconception that if you have bipolar, it means that who you are changes every 12 hours and your moods go up and down, which is just not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking out to help others <\/p>\n

Looking back at her 20s, Gartrell said she can now see how her behaviour at work was impacted \u2014 not showing up consistently and not acting like herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would probably want to apologise to my boss at the time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably where I did the most damage. But I was too ashamed. I was unmedicated and repeated that cycle for the next 10 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s only been with the clarity of my 30s and going on medication that I\u2019ve been able to look back and actually identify what was me and what wasn\u2019t me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Explaining the diagnosis to her eight-year-old son has required honesty and reassurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing for him to worry about,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell him the adults are looking after me.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t need to do anything or change anything. There\u2019s nothing for him to worry about. He just needs to be aware of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, she shares her experience publicly in the hope others won\u2019t dismiss a diagnosis out of fear or stigma.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had two psychiatrists telling me I had bipolar and I decided I knew better because of what I had seen about bipolar,\u201d Gartrell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s really important to increase awareness, to destigmatise this condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rapper Kanye West says he \u2018lost touch with reality\u2019 in long apology letter<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

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Aussie mum\u2019s terrifying ordeal after twin sons born prematurely<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

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