In a new interview with People magazine published on Wednesday, Mariah Carey is speaking about her bipolar disorder for the first time publicly.
Carey says she was first diagnosed with Bipolar II in 2001 and received treatment, but kept the condition a secret from her fans and the public.
“Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me,” she told the magazine. After undergoing a second round of treatment recently, Carey says she made the decision to finally open up about her condition.
“It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn’t do that anymore,” she said. “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.”
The five-time Grammy winner says she’s now taking a medication that helps with her mood. She hopes that by speaking out she’ll be able to inspire others who may be going through their own mental health journeys.
“I’m just in a really good place right now,” she said. “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.”
If you are a teen dealing with depression or other mental health issues, see PBS.org for a list of resources and organizations that can help you. If you are an adult, see Mental Health Resources.
