Selena Gomez has spoken openly about the challenges she faced before being correctly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, revealing that her journey to understanding her mental health was far from simple. The singer and actress first shared her diagnosis publicly in 2020 and recently discussed it again during an episode of the Friends Keep Secrets podcast with her husband, music producer Benny Blanco. During the conversation, Gomez explained that for years she felt something was wrong but struggled to receive the right diagnosis. According to her, several professionals initially misunderstood her symptoms, which made the process confusing and emotionally difficult. She described how trying different therapists and navigating conflicting opinions made the experience frustrating at times. Bipolar disorder, as explained by medical experts at the Mayo Clinic, is a condition that causes intense mood swings, including periods of elevated energy known as mania or hypomania and periods of deep depression. For Gomez, finally receiving the correct diagnosis helped her better understand her emotions and begin finding treatments that worked for her.

During the podcast, Gomez and Blanco also discussed how bipolar disorder can affect daily life, including the experience of manic episodes. These periods can involve increased energy, racing thoughts, rapid speech, reduced need for sleep, and sometimes impulsive decisions. Blanco shared that Gomez is often very self-aware and can sometimes recognize when she may be experiencing the early signs of mania, although it is not always easy in the moment. Gomez said she is not ashamed of those experiences and has learned to identify changes in her mood more quickly over time. She emphasized how important it is to have a supportive partner who understands the condition and approaches it with patience and compassion. The couple, who began dating in 2023 and later married in 2025, have often spoken about supporting each other through life’s challenges. Gomez hopes that by speaking openly about her mental health, she can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help if they feel something is wrong, even if the path to the right diagnosis takes time.