Oftentimes fans envy the lifestyle their favorite musicians get to lead, making music and touring the globe, without knowing the pain on the inside that many feel from mental illness. This can be held back from the public eye for branding purposes or privacy concerns, but it is still a concern with artists all across music. Dubstep pioneer Benga has been out of the public eye for the past year or so enjoying retirement and his family, but today the Magnetic Man producer took to Twitter to open up about mental health issues that have plagued him for the past several years.
Benga does not delve into his symptoms, but he does explain how the issues began. The former Skream collaborator became bipolar as a result of drug abuse and the schizophrenia was brought on by excessive touring. He is not doing this to try and get sympathy from others, but rather to raise awareness and end the stigma towards mental illness that plagues so many. He asks people to look out for each other to try and see the signs early to be there and help those suffering from mental illness. As he says, "The stigma around it makes you feel so alone."
Read a selection of Tweets below.
I might as well explain it on here. My bipolar was brought on by drugs and the schizophrenia was the result of excessive touring.
— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015
Which is why I dont want sympathy but to raise awareness. Because if I had help early the damage could have been controlled! — BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015
If you know someone that suffers from mental health issues you'll understand how alone you feel until it's regonised. Many people suffer. — BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015
The thing is I was able to take medication for a few months prescribed by doctor who was able to tell exactly what my condition was. — BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015
Now my girl stood by me through all of my most manic behaviour which I'll explain at a later date.
— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015
