Selena Gomez's Health Issues
In recent years, singer and actress Selena Gomez has been very open about her health struggles, including her diagnosis of bipolar disorder and related mental health issues. In her new Apple TV+ documentary "Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me," Gomez provides an inside look into her journey.
Battling Lupus
Gomez first revealed in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. Lupus can cause a wide range of symptoms including joint pain, fatigue, rashes, and organ damage.
The singer underwent chemotherapy to treat the disease, which resulted in her taking time off from her career. She ended up needing a kidney transplant in 2017 due to complications from lupus. Her close friend Francia Raisa donated one of her kidneys to Gomez.
Revealing Her Bipolar Diagnosis
In April 2020, Gomez shared that in addition to battling lupus, she had also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy levels between depressive and manic episodes.
Gomez explained that after years of high highs and low lows, she finally felt like she understood what was going on with her emotions after receiving the bipolar diagnosis. The diagnosis gave her clarity and allowed her to focus on managing her symptoms.
Experiencing Psychosis
In her Apple TV+ documentary released in November 2022, Gomez goes into detail about the scary psychotic episode she endured in 2018. She explains that the psychosis occurred after she had been taken to the hospital several times due to extremely low white blood cell counts, which can be caused by lupus.
While hospitalized, Gomez began hearing voices and experiencing paranoia and hallucinations. She describes feeling completely detached from reality. Doctors attributed the psychotic break to her bipolar disorder.
Ongoing Treatment
To treat her physical and mental health conditions, Gomez continues to receive ongoing care and take prescribed medications. She is under the treatment of therapists, doctors, and a support system of friends and family.
Gomez says she will likely be on medication to manage her bipolar disorder for the rest of her life. She also continues to monitor her lupus closely and limit activities that could trigger symptoms. Her health journey requires constant maintenance.
Coping with Health Issues in the Public Eye
Living with chronic physical conditions and mental illness is difficult for anyone, but doing so in the public spotlight presents additional challenges for celebrities like Gomez.
Scrutiny and Speculation
When she would take breaks from working due to health problems, fans and media outlets would speculate about what was going on with Gomez. Rumors and criticism took a toll on the singer.
She explains in her documentary that constant public scrutiny over every small change in her body or appearance made it difficult for her to cope with her conditions privately while in the limelight.
Use of Social Media
Gomez also describes how at times she would compulsively check social media looking for validation. But seeing negative comments from strangers about very personal health information often contributed to self-doubt.
Gomez realized she needed to significantly limit her use of social media to maintain a healthy state of mind and concentrate on her physical wellbeing.
Life in the Spotlight
Being a celebrity with health conditions also impacted Gomez's ability to keep up with the demanding schedule required for high profile singing, acting, and business ventures she was involved in.
She shares that constantly being in the spotlight added significant stress when she was already coping with lupus, kidney transplant recovery, bipolar disorder treatment, and the effects of chemotherapy.
Becoming an Advocate
By bravely opening up about her own struggles, Gomez hopes to encourage others dealing with similar health issues and use her platform to advocate for mental health awareness.
Reducing Stigma
One of Gomez's main goals is helping reduce stigma around mental illness. She shares details about her lowest mental health moments to show that even someone seemingly so successful can feel desperate and out of control.
Gomez models how being vulnerable and asking for help should not be something anyone feels ashamed about.
Raising Awareness
Gomez's raw, honest dialogue also aims to raise general awareness about conditions like bipolar disorder and lupus. Her first-hand account shines light on symptoms, treatment options, and lifestyle impacts.
Within minutes of the release of her documentary, Google searches for information on both bipolar and lupus spiked significantly - showing Gomez's story is already educating many.
Supporting Mental Health Initiatives
Additionally, Gomez actively uses her fame to promote mental health organizations, fundraising campaigns, and other initiatives supporting increased access to care and resources.
She demonstrates that even while coping with her own mental health challenges, she wants to contribute positively to changing the landscape of treatment availability.As Gomez bravely moves forward within the entertainment industry while managing significant health problems, she proves that self-care and speaking one's truth can co-exist with ambition and success. Her vulnerable, thoughtful example has the power to inspire both celebrities and everyday people alike.
FAQs
What physical health condition does Selena Gomez have?
Selena Gomez has the autoimmune disease lupus. Lupus causes inflammation and damage to various body tissues. Gomez has experienced symptoms including fatigue, joint pain, and complications requiring a kidney transplant.
What mental health disorder was Selena Gomez diagnosed with?
In 2020, Gomez shared publicly that she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood shifts between depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes.
What happened to Selena Gomez during her psychotic break?
Gomez reveals that in 2018 she experienced a frightening psychotic episode related to her bipolar disorder where she completely lost touch with reality. She heard voices and began experiencing hallucinations and paranoia.
How does Selena Gomez manage her health now?
Gomez continues to receive ongoing treatment, including taking prescribed medications, to manage her lupus and bipolar disorder. She also focuses on self-care and limits activities that are high-stress or demanding on her health.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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