Over the years, the public has loved Mariah Carey's music but has often found fault with her behavior. The five-time Grammy-winning singer has revealed that she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2001 after suffering a breakdown and being hospitalized. She kept it from the public for a couple of reasons. First, she was in denial and did not want to admit it to herself. Secondly, she did not want the diagnosis to have a negative effect on her singing career. Now she is willing to reveal the truth about her condition after experiencing years of ups and downs in her professional and personal life.

Carey's condition

After almost two decades, the superstar revealed her secret in a People magazine cover story. She wanted to tell about her struggle, then, before someone else did. She said the secret was a heavy burden to carry. The 48-year-old singer and songwriter has lived in denial and isolation because of the stigma that some people attach to the disorder.

For years, Mariah Carey has received treatments and has been taking medicines.

Besides, she has surrounded herself with positive people who did not shun her. She said that writing songs and making music has kept her motivated since she was diagnosed. She is still in therapy and taking medication for bipolar II disorder.

Carey said the last few years have been hard for her. In fact, she described the years as being an upheaval for her both professionally and personally She was alluding to her unsuccessful E!

reality show and her broken engagement to James Packer.

About bipolar disorder

According to the Mayo Clinic, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. Sometimes there are emotional highs and sometimes there are emotional lows. The reason it is called bipolar is that of the two opposite extremes.

The highs are known as hypomania, and the extreme lows are known as depression. The medication the singer is on helps her find a balance.

Why is Carey speaking out now?

Carey says she decided to come forward at this particular time because she is in a good place where she is comfortable discussing her struggles with bipolar II disorder. She is hoping that by telling her story it will help others so they won't think they have to suffer alone. She wants her story to help lift the stigma that is attached to the mental health condition.

The singer added that the disorder doesn't have to define a person, and she has decided that she will not allow it to define her or control her. Read more about Carey's story in the latest issue of People magazine.
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