(Web Desk) - Actress and singer Selena Gomez continues to be outspoken about mental health following her diagnosis with bipolar disorder.
The former Disney star announced her diagnosis in 2020 during an Instagram Live video call with fellow Disney Channel standout Miley Cyrus. Gomez has since described this discovery as a relief, although not an easy path.
In a recent episode of the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast, Gomez – the co-founder of mental health publication Wondermind – shared details about her journey to diagnosis.
Fellow musician and husband Benny Blanco asked his wife if she knew she was bipolar before being officially diagnosed.
"I knew something was wrong, but I think I was misdiagnosed," she responded. "I think people were just assuming – and I would try multiple therapists."
"It’s actually really hard when we’re talking about these things, and for me to go, ‘Go get a therapist.’ All of it is so … complicated."
Gomez detailed how her diagnosis required talking to "multiple different people," stressing the importance of not giving up.
"I’m so grateful I went to four different rehabs because it all helped me understand it," she said.
Blanco revealed that Gomez sometimes experiences a manic episode without recognizing it.
"She’ll start to realize she’s having it after it’s happening, and sometimes she doesn’t even remember when it’s happening," he said.
"It’s such a delicate thing because … you’re not supposed to, technically, talk to the person about it while they’re deep in it."
Blanco added that Gomez is "so hyper aware" of when she’s experiencing mania.
"I’m equally proud to say that I do have moments of mania," she said. "I’m not ashamed at all, because I can catch them a bit quicker."
"It is helpful to have a partner who will understand … and meet you where you are," the singer added. Since her diagnosis, Gomez said she lives life more "freely."
"The whole hypocrisy of shaming people for therapy, or people not understanding it, is that it’s just not for you," she said. "But for me, it finally allowed me to go, ‘Oh, that’s why I handled things the way I [did]. That’s why all the other people were able to get over things quickly, and I wasn’t.'"