Actress and singer Selena Gomez shared details about her bipolar disorder diagnosis during a recent "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast appearance. Gomez, who announced her condition in 2020 during an Instagram Live with Miley Cyrus, described the discovery as both relieving and challenging.
Gomez revealed she was initially misdiagnosed, requiring consultations with multiple therapists before receiving proper treatment. She attended four different rehabilitation programs to better understand her condition. Her husband, musician Benny Blanco, noted that Gomez sometimes experiences manic episodes without immediate recognition.
"I'm so grateful I went to four different rehabs because it all helped me understand it," Gomez stated. She emphasized that living with bipolar allows her to recognize patterns and manage symptoms more effectively.
About 2.8% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder annually, characterized by dramatic mood, energy and activity level shifts. Symptoms include manic episodes with increased activity, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech and poor decision-making, alongside depressive episodes featuring sadness, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.
Gomez encouraged others facing similar challenges, stating "you are not defined by a term" while advocating for therapy and mental health resources.