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Selena Gomez revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Selena Gomez revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Selena Gomez has always been candid with fans about her mental health. In 2017, the singer shared that she’d entered treatment for anxiety and depression, and she’s only continued the conversation since. In a new interview with Miley Cyrus, she revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she shared that learning about her diagnosis helped alleviate some of her fear surrounding her mental health.

Gomez was a guest on the Friday, April 3rd episode of Bright Minded, Cyrus’ Instagram Live show. The two former Disney stars had a candid discussion about the ways they’re coping with the uncertainty of life amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The “Rare” singer shared that she’s finding comfort in communicating with people in her life right now—and that even though talking about mental health can be difficult, it’s an important part of her healing.

She told Cyrus that she received treatment at “one of the best mental hospitals in the country,” McLean Hospital in Boston. And she said that receiving the diagnosis wasn’t something that scared her—it helped her.

“After years of going through a lot of different things, I realized that I was bipolar,” Gomez said.

She added: “And so when I got to know more information, it actually helps me. It doesn’t scare me once I know it.” Gomez said that even within her own family, they didn’t talk about mental health. But discussing it while she was at the hospital helped take away some of the fear.

“And so I just feel like when I finally said what I was going to say,” Gomez told Cyrus, “I wanted to know everything about it and it took the fear away.”

Last year, Gomez received the hospital’s 2019 McLean Award, which honors individuals “who have furthered the public’s understanding of psychiatric illness and mental health.” In her acceptance speech, she spoke about receiving her diagnoses of depression and anxiety.

“The doctors were able to give me a clear diagnosis,” she said in September 2019. “The moment I received that information, I actually felt equal parts of terrified and relieved—terrified, obviously, because the veil was lifted, but relieved that I finally had the knowledge of why I had suffered for so many years with depression and anxiety.”

In Gomez’s recent conversation with Cyrus, she shared that connecting with others is what gets her through times like right now, when she’s isolated from her family. She said she relies on her “tools,” including tips and techniques she’s learned through dialectical behavioral therapy—surely helping those who have experienced similar things feel a little less alone.

We’re so proud of Gomez for continuing to be open with fans about what she’s gone through and we’re sending so much love her way.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, HelloGiggles is committed to providing accurate and helpful coverage to our readers. As such, some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, we encourage you to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments, and visit our coronavirus hub.