For the past couple years, Mariah Carey has had a few public blunders and outbursts that have led fans to wonder if there was something terribly wrong with her. From questionable performances to her memorable New Years Eve performance, fans have agreed something hasn’t been quite right with Mariah Carey for quite some time. Now, there may be a legitimate reason for her actions. In a new interview with People Magazine, Mariah Carey has revealed she’s been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder:
While most people have probably heard of bipolar disorder, many still don’t know exactly what it is. For those who aren’t too familiar with the disorder, it is “a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression),” according to the Mayo Clinic. The publication also offers an example of the types of behavior you may see when a person is suffering from bipolar disorder.
When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts to mania or hypomania (less extreme than mania), you may feel euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly. Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any. – Mayo Clinic
To many fans, Mariah Carey’s diagnosis might seem relatively enlightening as it would explain a lot but the singer definitely wasn’t too thrilled about it. During a recent interview, Mariah admitted she didn’t want to believe it was true. “I didn’t want to believe it,” Mariah admitted. The singer went on to express her fears about the mental condition in regards to her career. Like most people, she definitely didn’t want people knowin’ her business but once she changed her outlook on the situation, things got a bit better. “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. I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music.”
Keepin’ It Real:
The famed singer has revealed she’s now being treated for Bipolar II disorder, taking the proper medications she needs to stay on track. “I’m actually taking medication that seems to be pretty good. It’s not making me feel too tired or sluggish or anything like that. Finding the proper balance is what is most important.”
She continued by explaining how bipolar disorder ultimately affected other areas of her life. For quite some time, she also had trouble sleeping. “For a long time, I thought I had a severe 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. I guess my depressive episodes were characterized by having very low energy. I would feel so lonely and sad — even guilty that I wasn’t doing what I needed to be doing for my career.”
Despite the diagnosis, Mariah Carey has admitted that things are a bit better now and she’s much more confident when it comes to discussing her condition. She also hopes the stigma associated with mental health becomes a thing of the past so people won’t feel shame when it comes to seeking the help they need. The singer admitted how difficult it was for her shortly after being diagnosed. “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 can be incredibly isolating. It does not have to define you and I refuse to allow it to define me or control me.”
Best of luck to Mariah Carey.
