Gucci Mane opened up about his struggles with mental health.
The rapper, 45, previously revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Speaking with The Breakfast Club, he and his wife, Keyshia Ka’oir, shared a detailed look at how they manage his condition and the steps they take to keep it under control.
“I take his apps off his phone,” Ka’oir explained. “First thing I do, I delete Instagram. I delete everything. Even if I gotta change his password, I’m changing it because I don’t need the public to know he’s having an episode.”
Ka’oir also shared that after a while, she learned to catch Mane’s episodes before they begin.
“Now, before the episodes come, I catch it,” she added. “That’s why he hasn’t had another one. How you catch it is he doesn’t speak to you, he wants to be left alone, he don’t eat, he does not sleep. Text messages, there’s a period after each word.”
Gucci Mane Has Come a Long Way Since Diagnosis
Ka’oir admitted that when Mane is having an episode, he becomes a different person. She added that the rapper can be “mean and disrespectful” during those moments.
Meanwhile, Mane shared that when he’s having an episode, he often doesn’t realize it and hears voices in his head.
Since his diagnosis, Mane has taken steps to address his condition. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the rapper decided to seek professional help, realizing that he had to hold himself “accountable and take care of my health.”
At the time, Ka’oir was pregnant, which also became the driving force for Mane to undergo therapy and medication. He also worked hard to recognize and avoid his triggers, including stress and alcohol.
The rapper added:
“I don’t want to raise a family, and then my mental health is gone. What if I have an episode I can’t come back from? So I just started to do the work, started seeking the help.”
Fans Show Love & Support
Fans have rallied behind Mane, praising his courage for being open about his condition.
One fan wrote, “Gucci is gonna save lives by being brave enough to talk about his Mental Health struggles. TY man, so glad you’re here.”
Another commented, “They came out the gate with REALNESS about mental illnesses!!! This is so much needed !!! This will help others soooo much!”
Someone noted, “Man, if you remember Gucci during his reign and you see him now… this is such a beautiful growth story. I appreciate the transparency and the testimonies to time and healing and having a supportive partner who really sees him.”
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Rap Star Opens Up About Schizophrenia Diagnosis