Selena Gomez is opening up about the long and complicated journey that led to her bipolar disorder diagnosis, revealing that she was initially misdiagnosed while searching for answers about her mental health.
The 33-year-old singer and actress discussed the experience during a recent appearance on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast alongside her husband, music producer Benny Blanco. Gomez explained that she sensed something was wrong early on but struggled to receive an accurate diagnosis.
“I knew something wasn’t right, but I think I was misdiagnosed,” Gomez said. “People were making assumptions, and I went through multiple therapists. That’s why it’s so difficult. Discussing these issues is genuinely challenging. The process of finding a therapist—it’s all incredibly complex.”
According to Gomez, understanding what she was experiencing required consulting numerous mental health professionals before finally receiving the correct diagnosis. The Only Murders in the Building star said the process took patience and persistence.
At one point, Gomez sought treatment at four different rehabilitation centers, which ultimately helped her better understand her condition and develop strategies for managing it.
Blanco also spoke during the conversation about witnessing some of the challenges Gomez faces. He explained that during manic episodes, she sometimes realizes what’s happening only after the episode has already begun.
“She’ll realize she’s having an episode after it’s already happening, and sometimes she doesn’t even remember it,” Blanco said. “It’s a delicate situation because you’re not really supposed to confront someone about it while they’re in the middle of it.”
He added that Gomez has always been remarkably self-aware about her mental health, even early in their relationship.
“Sometimes she’ll say, ‘I think I’m feeling a bit manic,’” Blanco explained.
Gomez emphasized that she no longer feels ashamed when those moments happen, saying she now recognizes the signs much earlier and has learned how to manage them more effectively.
“I’m not ashamed at all,” she said. “I can identify them more quickly now.”
The singer also credited her relationship with Blanco as a major source of support, explaining that having a partner who understands her experiences has made a meaningful difference.
“It’s incredibly helpful to have a partner who understands your state of mind and meets you where you are,” she said. “Gradually, you both come to understand what’s happening.”
As Gomez continues to learn more about how bipolar disorder affects her life, she says the clarity has allowed her to live with greater freedom and self-understanding.
She also addressed the stigma that often surrounds therapy and mental health treatment, encouraging people to seek the help that works for them.
“The problem with misconceptions about therapy is that people judge it without understanding it,” Gomez said. “It might not be for everyone, and that’s okay, but for me it helped me understand myself.”
Looking back, Gomez said learning about her diagnosis helped explain why certain emotions and reactions felt overwhelming in the past.
“That’s why I handled things the way I did,” she said. “I would react out of fear, out of love, out of passion. It was inconsistent—it was chaotic.”
