Kanye West's volatile online outbursts encouraged by 'dopamine rush' from public reaction

Kanye West continues to stir controversy through his ongoing rants online which often include overt antisemitic messaging.

In the past, Kanye opened up about his mental health diagnosis, claiming he had bipolar disorder. However, he later claimed he was misdiagnosed and, instead, has autism. "Regardless of the diagnosis, it is important to recognize that mental health conditions can impact mood regulation, decision-making, and impulsivity—especially in high-stress environments like fame and social media scrutiny," Dr. Carolina Estevez, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist at SOBA New Jersey told The Mirror.

There are some psychological factors at play which could potentially explain why he repetitively stirs up a reaction from the public. She explained that his "extreme statements" can "become a reinforcing cycle," adding, "each outburst generates a reaction, which may further fuel their online behavior."

While the reaction to his comments are, largely, negative, it likely doesn't matter to someone who is seeking that "dopamine rush of social media validation."

Carolina further explained how his behavior may match that of individuals with bipolar or autism, noting that people experiencing manic or hypomanic episodes "may display increased energy, grandiosity, impulsivity, and decreased inhibition—all of which could contribute to making inflammatory or erratic posts."

She added, "On the other hand, autism is characterized by rigid thinking, difficulty with social communication, and hyper-fixation of specific interests, which might influence how someone processes and responds to criticism."

Carolina further emphasized that "mental health struggles do not excuse harmful behavior—but they can help explain why someone might engage in behavior that seems self-destructive or out of character."

For Kanye, she said his actions "are not entirely surprising" as he has a history of entangling himself in controversy which "social media incentivizes."

"It is important to separate mental health from personal responsibility—struggles with a condition do not remove accountability, but they do provide context," Carolina said. She added that it might be more beneficial to, as a society, analyze how best to "respond to public figures with mental health conditions and what kind of support systems (or lack thereof) exist for them."

She added, "At the same time, his behavior reflects a more significant issue in how we discuss mental health in public spaces. The media often sensationalizes mental illness without fostering deeper conversations about treatment, support, and personal accountability. Kanye’s situation highlights the need for more thoughtful, compassionate discussions about mental health—both for public figures and everyday people navigating their challenges."