MARIAH CAREY HAS revealed in an interview that she has been undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder. The singer was speaking to People magazine and revealed that she was originally diagnosed in 2001 but had ‘lived in denial’ up until very recently.
In the interview she talked about how she decided to seek out treatment after she lived through some of the ‘hardest years’ of her life.
Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me. It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn’t do that anymore.
The fact she was afraid of being exposed speaks volumes about the stigma she would have faced in 2001 and the type of people who were trying to harm her by revealing her diagnosis before she was ready.
I’m super proud of Mariah Carey because being bipolar isn’t easy. Not being able to have control over your emotions will take a toll on you and effect your everyday life and relationships. Everybody isn’t going to know how to handle you or accept you.
— prettybrownthxng.|😋 (@ComplexlyCocoa) April 11, 2018
Carey also revealed that she is now in therapy and taking medication for bipolar II disorder. This differs slightly from bipolar disorder as the person does not suffer from full mania.
Instead they suffer from something called hypomania which is less severe than mania but is characterized by elevated mood, irritation and a decreased need for sleep as well as hyperactivity. It is generally harder to diagnose bipolar disorder II than bipolar disorder.
Glad that @MariahCarey has found her happy place and is living her best life!!! Thanks for sharing your journey. #MentalHealthIsImportant https://t.co/GVq3KyYz8Y
— A (@GoldenSpice1922) April 11, 2018
It was the lack of sleep which initially led Carey to believe that she was suffering from a sleep disorder.
But it wasn’t normal insomnia and I wasn’t lying awake counting sheep. I was working and working and working … I was irritable and in constant fear of letting people down. It turns out that I was experiencing a form of mania. Eventually I would just hit a wall.
So much respect for @MariahCarey for opening up about her struggles with #mentalhealth & #bipolar, just shows that it can affect anyone! ❤ #itsoknottobeok https://t.co/wyxd4YrXXC
— Barnsey (@officialbarnsey) April 11, 2018
When asked why she had gone public with her struggles now Mariah was incredibly honest and upbeat saying “I’m just in a really good place right now, where I’m comfortable discussing my struggles with bipolar II disorder. I’m hopeful we can get to a place where the stigma is lifted from people going through anything alone.”
It does not have to define you and I refuse to allow it to define me or control me.
Amen sister.
Thanks @MariahCarey for trusting me with your story. Happy you’re doing great and back in the studio making more music. Godspeed. https://t.co/16HMM7pWw1
— Jess Cagle (@MrJessCagle) April 11, 2018
For more information about bipolar disorder please visit the HSE website.
