West, who revealed he had bipolar disorder in 2017, appeared distressed during a supposed rally in South Carolina on Sunday night after announcing he was running for president this year.

During his appearance at the rally, West cried onstage as he claimed that he and Kardashian West had planned to abort their first child, North West. He also made controversial false comments about abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Since then, he's posted a series of increasingly concerning tweets, most of which have since been deleted. In one, he claimed his wife had attempted to force him into mental health treatment against his will. In another, he said he'd been "trying to divorce" Kardashian West, before branding her and mother Kris Jenner "white supremacists".

In a statement posted to Instagram, Kardashian West spoke publicly about West's bipolar disorder for the first time, explaining that up until now she's kept the "unbelievably complicated" situation private, but hopes her comments will help break the "stigma and misconceptions" around mental health.

"As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder," Kardashian West began her statement. "Anyone who has this, or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand.

"I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye's right to privacy when it comes to his health," she added. "But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions around mental health."

Kardashian West, who married West in 2014 and shares four children with him, went on to explain that she and other friends and family were "powerless" to force West into "getting help" because he isn't a minor.

"Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor," she explained. "People who are unaware of or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try."

"He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder," she went on.

"Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions," Kardashian West added.

"We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole," she signed off. "However, we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it the most."

"I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this," she added. "Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye's wellbeing and for your understanding. With love and gratitude, Kim Kardashian West."