Selena Gomez Reveals She Was Misdiagnosed Before Bipolar Diagnosis

Selena Gomez Opens Up About Bipolar Diagnosis, Mental Health Journey

Actress and singer Selena Gomez has become increasingly candid about her mental health struggles since revealing her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2020. In a recent appearance on the “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast, Gomez shared details of her diagnostic journey and how she manages the condition with the support of her husband, musician Benny Blanco.

“I knew something was wrong, but I think I was misdiagnosed,” Gomez explained on the podcast when asked if she suspected her condition before receiving an official diagnosis. “People were just assuming – and I would try multiple therapists.”

The 31-year-old star first announced her diagnosis during an Instagram Live session with fellow former Disney Channel star Miley Cyrus. Since then, Gomez has described the diagnosis as providing relief, though she acknowledges the path hasn’t been easy.

Gomez, who co-founded the mental health publication Wondermind, emphasized the importance of persistence when seeking proper mental health care. “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,” she said, adding that her diagnosis required consulting “multiple different people.”

“I’m so grateful I went to four different rehabs because it all helped me understand it,” Gomez revealed, underscoring how multiple treatment approaches contributed to her understanding of her condition.

During the podcast, Blanco offered insight into how the couple navigates Gomez’s manic episodes. “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.”

Gomez acknowledges these challenges but approaches them with transparency and self-awareness. “I’m equally proud to say that I do have moments of mania,” she stated. “I’m not ashamed at all, because I can catch them a bit quicker.”

The importance of supportive relationships emerged as a key theme in Gomez’s discussion. “It is helpful to have a partner who will understand… and meet you where you are,” she noted.

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.8% of U.S. adults annually and 4.4% during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health. The condition, formerly known as manic depression or manic-depressive disorder, is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that can significantly impact daily functioning.

These shifts include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Manic episodes typically involve increased energy, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, and sometimes poor decision-making. Depressive episodes may include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and in some cases, suicidal ideation.

For Gomez, receiving a proper diagnosis has been life-changing. “Since her diagnosis, Gomez said she lives life more ‘freely,'” she explained. “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.'”

Her openness about her condition represents an important contribution to destigmatizing mental health struggles. “You are not defined by a term,” Gomez emphasized, encouraging others to seek information through various resources. “I do believe there is a lot of hope.”

Medical experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend that individuals experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder seek professional help. Diagnosis typically involves physical examinations, laboratory testing, mental health assessments, and tracking mood patterns. Once diagnosed, managing the condition often requires medication, consistent sleep patterns, and avoiding substances that may trigger episodes.

Through her public advocacy and personal transparency, Gomez continues to use her platform to normalize mental health conversations and provide hope to others facing similar challenges.