Selena Gomez says she was 'misdiagnosed' before receiving bipolar diagnosis

In a recent episode of the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast, Gomez - the co-founder of mental health publication Wondermind - shared details about her journey to diagnosis.

"I knew something was wrong, but I think I was misdiagnosed," she responded. "I think people were just assuming - and I would try multiple therapists."

"It's actually really hard when we're talking about these things, and for me to go, 'Go get a therapist.' All of it is so … complicated."

Gomez detailed how her diagnosis required talking to "multiple different people," stressing the importance of not giving up.

"I'm so grateful I went to four different rehabs because it all helped me understand it," she said.

"She'll start to realize she's having it after it's happening, and sometimes she doesn't even remember when it's happening," he said.

"It's such a delicate thing because … you're not supposed to, technically, talk to the person about it while they're deep in it."

Blanco added that Gomez is "so hyper aware" of when she's experiencing mania.

"I'm equally proud to say that I do have moments of mania," she said. "I'm not ashamed at all, because I can catch them a bit quicker."

"It is helpful to have a partner who will understand … and meet you where you are," the singer added.

Since her diagnosis, Gomez said she lives life more "freely."

"The whole hypocrisy of shaming people for therapy, or people not understanding it, is that it's just not for you," she said. "But for me, it finally allowed me to go, 'Oh, that's why I handled things the way I [did]. That's why all the other people were able to get over things quickly, and I wasn't.'"

Gomez added, "I'd act out of fear, I'd act out of love, I'd act out of passion, it was all inconsistent. It was crazy."

The actress encouraged others that no matter the diagnosis, "you are not defined by a term."

"It's just informative to seek and talk and listen to podcasts or listen to certain things that will help you get information," she said. "I do believe there is a lot of hope."

About 2.8% of adults in the U.S. have experienced bipolar in the last year, while 4.4% experience it during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Formerly called manic depression or "manic-depressive disorder," bipolar disorder is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy and activity levels, affecting the ability to carry out daily tasks.

Symptoms can differ depending on bipolar type.

Manic and hypomanic episodes typically include three or more of the following symptoms:

Major depressive episodes typically include five or more of the following symptoms.

Diagnosis can be made through a physical exam and lab testing, as well as mental health assessments and tracking of moods, sleep patterns and other factors.

Fox News Digital reached out to Gomez's representation and Wondermind for comment.