Selena Gomez is opening up about finally being “properly medicated” for her mental and physical health.
Speaking to Vanity Fair for the outlet’s October issue, published Sept. 9, the actress and singer detailed some of the tools that have kept her grounded when things get hard.
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.
She also said mental health exercises have also been helpful throughout her journey.
“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.”
“I’m ready for it all — it’s just now I’m properly medicated,” she said with a laugh.
Emma Summerton / Vanity Fair
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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 Mindedand 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.
Emma Summerton / Vanity Fair
“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 Fundwhich 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.
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