Lil Nas X Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Lil Nas X has returned to social media after nearly a year, sharing a vulnerable update on his mental health.

On Wednesday, June 17, the "Old Town Road" singer, 27, posted a video on Instagram and explained his absence and that he was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

"I've been in rehab for a few months and since then, I've been back at home whether it's in Atlanta with my family or in Los Angeles with myself, friends and what not, and trying to ground myself down to earth and get out of my head," he began. "I have a therapist now and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful when I got my bipolar disorder diagnosis."

"I feel like I had known for like the past few years but I didn't want to admit to it because I didn't want to have to take medication and have people think different of me... Black, gay, bipolar. I'm like living life on like extreme hard mode," he said with a laugh.

Bipolar disorder is a manic-depressive illness of the brain that causes extreme changes in mood and energy levels, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyperactivity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.

Patients will often experience intense emotions as well as disruption to sleep patterns and their ability to think clearly. These periods can last for an extended time — days or even weeks — with no clear way of predicting when one period will end and another will begin. This can cause patients to have difficulty at work, school or maintaining their relationships.

In the clip, Nas — whose real name is Montero Hill — shared that after undergoing treatment, he's doing a lot better and thanked fans for their support.

"But on a serious note, I'm doing much better. I'm doing better, I'm feeling better. I'm creating freely and there's less fear in my heart. I'm just smelling the roses, man. I've been doing music for seven years now," he said, noting that he has new music on the way.

"I'm excited to go on this journey with you guys, this next chapter," he ended. "We've been through so much together. Thank you guys for holding it down. I love you and all I want to do is continue to try to make you guys proud and make myself proud."

Nas' mental health struggles first came to light in August 2025 after he was arrested and charged with four felonies. The following month, the Grammy winner checked into an inpatient treatment program.

While appearing at a court hearing in April, a judge said Nas "appears to be doing very well." He reportedly granted the star entry into a mental health diversion program, and said that as long as he continues to stay on top of his treatment and does not get into any trouble with the law for the next two years, the case will be dismissed.

At the time, his defense lawyer, Christy O'Connor, said that Nas' treatment was "absolutely successful." She described his mental health regimen as "pretty rigorous," noting he meets weekly with a psychotherapist and has psychiatry appointments every three months.

"I'm thankful. Just very thankful. It could have been much worse," Nas told Rolling Stone after the court hearing. "[I'm] just going through the flow of life."

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Posted by Temmy
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