Selena Gomez has shared some of the most candid details yet about her journey to a bipolar disorder diagnosis, revealing that she was misdiagnosed before finally finding answers, and that the process required visits to four different rehab centers and multiple therapists before things became clear.
Speaking about that of her husband Benny Blanco Friends keep secrets podcast, the actress and singer reflected on what it took to reach a proper diagnosis, which she first announced publicly in 2020 during an Instagram Live with Miley Cyrus.
“I knew something was wrong, but I think I was misdiagnosed,” she said. “I think people were just assuming, and I would try several therapists.”
She spoke openly about how difficult this process can be for others in a similar situation.
“It’s actually very difficult when we talk about these things, and for me to say, ‘Go get a therapist.’ This is all so… complicated. » She added, “I’m so grateful to have been to four different rehabs because it all helped me figure it out.”
Blanco also spoke candidly about what daily life with Gomez’s bipolar disorder is like, describing the tricky nature of manic episodes.
“She’ll start to realize she’s suffering from it after it happens, and sometimes she doesn’t even remember when it’s happening,” he said.
“It’s such a tricky thing because… you’re not technically supposed to tell the person about it while they’re in the thick of it.”
He added that despite this, Gomez is “so hyper-aware” of her condition.
Gomez herself said she reached a real level of acceptance around those moments.
“I’m also proud to say that I have my manic moments. I’m not ashamed at all, because I can catch them a little quicker.”
She also spoke about the importance of having a supportive partner. “It helps to have a partner who will understand…and meet you where you are,” she said.
Since receiving her diagnosis, Gomez said she has been able to live more freely, with a better understanding of herself.
“The whole hypocrisy of shaming people for therapy, or people who don’t understand it, is that it’s just not for you. But for me, it finally allowed me to say, ‘Oh, that’s why I handled things the way I did.’ [did]. That’s why everyone else was able to recover quickly, and I wasn’t.
She described her behavior before diagnosis as inconsistent and emotionally driven.
“I was acting out of fear, I was acting out of love, I was acting out of passion, it was all inconsistent. It was crazy.”
His message to others facing a diagnosis was clear. “You’re not defined by one term,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of hope.”
Gomez is the co-founder of Wondermind, a mental health media platform.
