Selena Gomez has shared some of the most candid details yet about her journey toward a bipolar disorder diagnosis, revealing that she was misdiagnosed before finding answers, and that the process required visits to four different rehab centers and multiple therapists before things became clear.
Talking about the life of her husband Benny Blanco Friends keep secrets On the 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,” he said. “I think people were just assuming and I would try various therapists.”
She was open about how difficult that process can be for others in a similar position.
“It’s actually really hard when we talk about these things and for me to say, ‘Go find a therapist.’ This whole thing is so… complicated.” She added: “I’m very grateful that I went to four different rehab centers because everything helped me understand it.”
Blanco also spoke candidly about what it’s like to live day to day with Gomez’s bipolar disorder, describing the delicate nature of manic episodes.
“She will start to realize she has it after it happens and sometimes she doesn’t even remember when it happened,” he said.
“It’s such a sensitive thing because… you’re technically not supposed to talk to the person about this while they’re in the middle of it.”
He added that despite this, Gómez is “very hyperaware” of his condition.
Gomez herself said she had come to a place of genuine acceptance around those moments.
“I’m equally proud to say that I have manic moments. I’m not ashamed at all, because I can catch them a little faster.”
She also talked about the value of having a supportive partner. “It’s helpful to have a partner who understands you… and meets you where you are,” he said.
Since receiving her diagnosis, Gomez said she has been able to live more freely and with a clearer understanding of herself.
“The hypocrisy of shaming people for therapy, or shaming 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 all the other people were able to get over things quickly and I couldn’t.”
She described her pre-diagnosis behavior as inconsistent and motivated by emotion.
“I acted out of fear, I acted out of love, I acted out of passion, it was all inconsistent. It was crazy.”
His message to others going through a diagnosis was clear. “You’re not defined by a term,” he said. “I think there is a lot of hope.”
Gómez is co-founder of Wondermind, a mental health media platform.
