Selena Gomez has opened up about the challenges she faced before receiving her bipolar disorder diagnosis, describing a long and complicated journey that involved multiple misdiagnoses and mental health hurdles.

Speaking on an episode of the Friends Keep Secrets podcast with husband Benny Blanco, Gomez, 33, explained that she had long suspected something was wrong but was initially misdiagnosed. “People were just assuming, and I would try multiple therapists. And that’s why it’s hard. It’s actually really hard when we’re talking about these things,” she shared.

Gomez shared that navigating the mental health system and finding the right diagnosis and treatment required consulting with “multiple different people,” an experience that ultimately helped her understand herself better. Blanco, 37, added that Gomez still occasionally experiences moments of mania, which she may not immediately recognise. “She’ll start to realise she’s having it after it’s happening, and sometimes she doesn’t even remember when it’s happening,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Gomez emphasised that she is not ashamed of her manic episodes. “I’m not ashamed at all because I can catch them a bit quicker,” she said. She highlighted the importance of having a supportive partner who understands the nuances of her condition, helping her navigate these intense moments.