Actress and singer Selena Gomez has continued to be outspoken about her mental health even after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The former Disney star announced her diagnosis during an Instagram Live video call with fellow Disney Channel celebrity Miley Cyrus in 2020. Mr Gomez later said he felt relieved about the discovery, but said it had not been an easy road.
On a recent episode of the “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast, Gomez, co-founder of mental health publication Wondermind, shared details about her path to her diagnosis.
Fellow musician and husband Benny Blanco asked his wife if she knew she had bipolar disorder before she was officially diagnosed.
“I knew something was wrong, but I think it was a misdiagnosis,” she replied. “I think people just assumed it. I would try multiple therapists.”
“When we’re talking about things like this, it’s actually very difficult for me to say, ‘Please get a therapist.’ It’s all so…complicated.”
Gomez detailed how her diagnosis required talking to “several different people” and stressed the importance of not giving up.
“I’m so grateful that I went to four different rehabs because it all helped me understand,” she said.
Blanco revealed that Gomez sometimes experiences manic episodes without realizing it.
“She starts realizing she has it after it happens, and sometimes she doesn’t even remember when it’s happening,” he said.
“This is a very sensitive issue, because… strictly speaking, you’re not supposed to talk about it while the person is deep in it.”
Blanco added that Gomez was “very aware” that he was in a manic episode.
“I’m just as proud to say that I have my manic moments,” she said. “I’m not embarrassed at all. I’ll catch you sooner.”
“It helps to have a partner who understands and who meets you everywhere,” the singer added.
Gomez said she has been living her life more “freely” since her diagnosis.
“The hypocrisy of shaming people for seeking therapy and shaming people who don’t understand therapy is that it’s not for you,” she says. “But for me, it finally allowed me to be like, ‘Oh, that’s why I handled things the way I did. That’s why other people were able to get over things so quickly and I didn’t.'”
Gomez added: “Sometimes I acted out of fear, I acted out of love, I acted out of passion, everything was inconsistent. It was crazy.”
The actress encouraged others that no matter their diagnosis, “you are not defined by words.”
“Looking for podcasts and specific things to talk about and listen to that help you stay informed is just beneficial,” she said. “I believe there is a lot of hope.”
Signs of bipolar disorder
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 2.8% of adults in the United States have experienced bipolar disorder in the past year, and 4.4% have experienced bipolar disorder in their lifetime.
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression or “manic depression,” is characterized by dramatic changes in mood, energy, and activity levels that affect a person’s ability to perform daily tasks.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this can include high emotional states known as mania or hypomania and low emotional states known as depression.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of bipolar disorder.
Manic and hypomanic episodes usually include three or more of the following symptoms:
Increased activity, energy, or excitement Being overconfident or having a distorted sense of well-being Needing less sleep than usual Talking too quickly or being unusually talkative Being busy with thoughts or jumping from one topic to the next Being easily distracted Making bad decisions
A major depressive episode usually includes five or more of the following symptoms:
Feeling depressed, sad, empty, hopeless, or tearful Losing interest in or enjoying most activities Losing weight without dieting or gaining weight from overeating Sleeping too much or too little Feeling restless or moving slower than usual Feeling extremely tired or lacking energy Feeling worthless or guilty when you don’t need to Have trouble thinking or concentrating, making it difficult to make decisions Thinking about, planning, or attempting suicide
seeking diagnosis
The Mayo Clinic recommends that people experiencing these symptoms seek professional help.
Diagnosis can be made through physical and laboratory tests, as well as mental health assessments and tracking of mood, sleep patterns, and other factors.
After diagnosis, the Mayo Clinic recommends paying attention to warning signs to prevent attacks. Getting enough sleep, taking your medications as directed, and avoiding drugs and alcohol can also help.
FOX News Digital has reached out to Gomez’s representatives and Wondermind for comment.
