American Singer, Mariah Carey Reveals Struggle With Bipolar Disorder

American Singer and Song writer, Mariah Carey

American Singer, Mariah Carey has revealed how she has been struggling with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.

Ms. Carey disclosed the diagnosis in an interview with People magazine’s editor in chief, Jess Cagle though a preview of the magazine’s cover story was published online Wednesday, the full interview will be available on Friday.

The interview marks one of the first instances in which a celebrity of Carey’s stature has acknowledged her struggles with mental illness.

She explained in the interview why she had not previously revealed the diagnosis.

“I didn’t want to carry around the stigma of a lifelong disease that would define me and potentially end my career,” she said. “I was so terrified of losing everything and I lived in isolation and constant fear”.

Miss Carey’s disclosure of her diagnosis follows admissions of mental health problems by other celebrities, the likes of Chrissy Teigen and Selena Gomez.

“Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me,” she says. “It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn’t do that anymore. I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music.”

She is now in therapy and taking medication for bipolar II disorder, which involves periods of depression as well as hypomania (less severe than the mania associated with bipolar I disorder, but can still cause irritability, sleeplessness and hyperactivity).

“I’m actually taking medication that seems to be pretty good. It’s not making me feel too tired or sluggish or anything like that. Finding the proper balance is what is most important,” Carey tells PEOPLE.