Mariah Carey sat down with People Magazine and opened up on her battle with mental illness. She tells the publication that she suffers from bipolar disorder. Mariah struggled with this condition for years, but is only now beginning to talk about it.
According to Mariah, this condition caused internal shame due to her fame and fear of ridicule.
People writes:
“Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me,” she says. “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.”
Mariah also revealed she is currently in therapy and taking medication for bipolar II disorder. This condition involves periods of depression and a condition called hypomania. This condition is not as strong the mania associated with bipolar I disorder, but can still cause irritability, sleeplessness and hyperactivity.
“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,” Carey tells PEOPLE.
“For a long time I thought I had a severe sleep disorder,” continues Carey, now back in the studio working on an album due later this year. “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.”
I think she’s an alcoholic too. I hope she can get herself straight.
I wish her the best.
Mental illness is real…fame can f*ck ur head up…brain is a muscle like anything else….if someone had a strained hamstring or shoulder we wudnt think twice or judge about treating it…but the mind….Oh NO-all that needs is a lil mo Jesus! our community unfortunately hasnt fully embraced this ideology and although we are coming around we have a ways to go…work it out mimi
She didn’t even have to tell us but she did. Much respect and I hope she’s doing ok.
Mental illness is no joke.
Aww Mariah. I’m always rooting for her!
She’s fortunate to know she’s bipolar and to be getting treatment. So many people are walking around here undiagnosed and they have no idea they have a mental illness.
Kuddos to her for being brave to speak out in regards to mental illness. Coko from SWV also revealed not too long ago that she has bipolar II as well. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
I love her.