Selena Gomez Says She Was 'Terrified And Relieved' After Being Diagnosed With Depression And Anxiety

Selena Gomez is so much happier and healthier right now than she was just per year ago — and it also shows. The "I Can't Get Enough" singer attended a meal on September 13 at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, where she accepted the 2019 McLean Award for Mental Health Advocacy. In her acceptance speech, Gomez opened up about her own personalized mental health journey, making it clear just how far she's come in a year's time.


"I think that we are better as soon as we tell the truth," Gomez started. "And so, this is my truth. Last year, I was suffering mentally and emotionally, and I wasn't able to stay all buttoned up and with each other. I wasn't able to hold a smile or to keep things looking usual According to Gomez, the unbearable feelings of pain and anxiety came on "all at once." "It was once of the scariest moments of my life," she said.


Gomez knew she required help, and while she was officially diagnosed with depression and anxiety, she was able to take the required steps to get her mental health back on track. "I sought support and the doctors were able to give me a clear diagnosis," she mentioned. "The moment that I had gotten that intelligence I had actually felt equal parts terrified and relieved. Terrified, naturally, as the veil was lifted, however relieved that I finally had the knowledge of why I had suffered for so several years with depression and anxiety."


Gomez's experience definitely isn't an atypical one; several people suffer from mental health conditions for years without knowing. "I've never had full answers, awareness, or anything about this condition," she mentioned. "So I started to face it head-on, as my mother taught me to face my fears and challenges any time Once I was younger. I sought out help. I actually sought out to get the help that I needed."


In hindsight, Gomez is so glad that she reached out for help any time if she did. Not only is she in a much better headspace right now than she was per year ago, yet her diagnosis also led her to discover her passion for mental health advocacy. "I got wise. I spoke to a lot of people who were suffering from the same things. I read a lot about it, plus it was something that sort of took over and I became very enthusiastic about it," she said.


Gomez closed out her speech by expressing gratitude for all the mental nutrition experts that helped her on her journey. With their guidance, she's happier right now that ever before. However this does not mean that it has all gone away," she mentioned, "I can mention that right after each year of a lot of intense work that I am happier, I am healthier, and I'm in control of my emotions and thoughts more than I've ever been before, so I'm quite pleased about that."