Selena Gomez Says She is ‘Properly Medicated’ for Her Mental Health and Has Tools to Cope: ‘I Ground Myself’

The 32-year-old revealed in 2020 that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder

The 32-year-old — who was diagnosed with lupus as well as bipolar disorder — shared that one “healing mechanism” has been using temperatures, like cold water and space heaters, to “soothe” herself. 

“I remind myself that I’m okay,” she explained. “I ground myself for a moment. ‘Where am I? I’m sitting down in the office. Everybody that I love is out there. There’s food. I can get something to eat. I can take a nap here before I leave.’ I put myself into the present.”

Gomez has been vocal about suffering from complications with lupus, which she was diagnosed with in 2015. She also revealed her bipolar diagnosis in April 2020 during an episode of Miley Cyrus’ Instagram Live show Bright Minded, and has been transparent about her highs and lows with the disorder.

Elsewhere in her Vanity Fair story, the Only Murders in the Building star explained that she doesn’t want to be viewed as a “victim” when it comes to her mental health struggles, which have included panic attacks, anxiety, and debilitating depression.

“I like to remind people that that is definitely nowhere close to where I am now,” she said. My mind was not right and chemically imbalanced, and it was really difficult.” 

“People were calling me a victim. That frustrates me, because being vulnerable is actually one of the strongest things you can do,” she continued. “That narrative is not going to take over my life. I’m grateful every day. And I have my days like everyone else, but I’m no victim. I just survived a lot. There isn’t a part of me that wants anyone to feel sorry for me.”

After opening up about her personal journey, Gomez created the Rare Impact Fund, which raises awareness and funds for mental health support for young people.

And her 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me also looked closely at her mental health triumphs and setbacks.