Selena Gomez recalls feeling 'freedom' after revealing her bipolar diagnosis to the world in new TODAY interview

Selena Gomez revealed that she no longer fears being labeled by her past medical diagnoses of bipolar disorder and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. 

While appearing on Hoda Kotb’s podcast Making Space, alongside Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, to speak about their mission to destigmatize mental illness, the pop star, 31, talked about feeling 'freedom' in sharing her story.

When asked how she defines herself, the Rare Beauty founder said she thinks of herself as someone who is a 'loving' and 'caring' person that 'just genuinely wants to do something to help out someone.'  

'I think, life can get distracting, and there's so much noise,' she told Kotb. 'Titles don't scare me anymore because I claimed my own story. I told my own story. And, I felt freedom from it.'

Selena Gomez revealed that she no longer fears being labeled by her past medical diagnoses of bipolar disorder and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease

The chat appeared to be taken on the same day that Gomez hosted her third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit as she was wearing the same ensemble. 

During the special event for her Rare Impact fund, the Lose You to Love Me hitmaker revealed her company had raised $7 million for mental health causes. 

Gomez said the summit left her feeling 'inspired by the next generation' and 'filled with so much hope.' 

'Mental health means so much to me and I'm honored we get to share this mission with the world together,' she told fans. 'Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to use their voice for good!'

U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy was also present at the event to discuss 'the power of social connection and how communities, like the one Selena has created.' 

In October, the Only Murders in the Building star opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder 2020. 

'I struggled with the world inside my head for a long time and I felt lost and I felt hopeless at times,' Gomez said at her first annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit. 'And in 2020, I received my diagnosis of bipolar disorder.'

She continued: 'And to be honest, everything quickly changed. I actually got the knowledge and the answers that I had been desperate for for so long. And understanding that obviously makes me become more aware of it and I'm less afraid than I used to be.' 

While appearing on Hoda Kotb’s podcast Making Space, alongside Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, to speak about their mission to destigmatize mental illness, the pop star, 31, talked about feeling 'freedom' in sharing her story

The Disney Channel alum previously admitted that she didn't know how she would 'cope' with the diagnosis in her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me. 

To prevent herself from becoming overwhelmed, Gomez explains that she 'needed to keep learning' about her diagnosis and 'to take it day by day.' 

Gomez first revealed that she suffers from bipolar disorder in 2020, while appearing on Miley Cyrus' Instagram Live series Bright Minded. 

During her chat with Cyrus, 31, said she was left 'equal parts terrified and relieved' after the 'veil was lifted.' 

'I finally had the knowledge of why I had suffered with various depressions and anxieties for so many years,' she explained. 'I never had full awareness or answers about this condition.' 

Gomez added that it helps her to have 'more information' because 'it doesn't scare' her once she knows what's going on. 

When asked how she defines herself, the Rare Beauty founder said she thinks of herself as someone who is a 'loving' and 'caring' person that 'just genuinely wants to do something to help out someone' (seen on May 1 at Rare Beauty's third Annual Mental Health Summit)

'I think, life can get distracting, and there's so much noise,' she told Kotb. 'Titles don't scare me anymore because I claimed my own story. I told my own story. And, I felt freedom from it' (pictured with Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy)

Selena said that during her upbringing in Texas she felt like it wasn't encouraged to talk about emotions.

'I'm from Texas, it's just not known to talk about mental health. You got to seem cool. And then I see anger built up in children and teenagers or whatever young adults because they are wanting that so badly. I just feel like when I finally said what I was going to say, I wanted to know everything about it. And it took the fear away.'

She told ELLE that the diagnosis was a 'huge weight lifted off' her shoulders after years of seeking help for depression and anxiety. 

The actress has long been candid about her mental health issues - as well as her battle with the autoimmune disease lupus. 

She was diagnosed with lupus - a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs - in 2014, and in 2017, it got so bad that she had to get a kidney transplant.

Gomez later revealed that as a result of the condition, she developed anxiety and started getting severe panic attacks. She also struggled with depression and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020.

She first sought treatment in 2016, forcing her to cancel her Revival tour. She also sought treatment in 2018 and 2019 for her ongoing depression and anxiety.

She told Vogue in 2017 that checking herself into rehab was 'one of the hardest things she has done' but also 'one of the best.