Bebe Rexha reveals bipolar diagnosis: ‘I’m not ashamed anymore’

'For the longest time, I didn’t understand why I felt so sick'

(Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Bebe Rexha has revealed she has bipolar disorder.

The 29-year-old singer penned a series of tweets on Monday in which she explained that she has suffered from fluctuating moods for years.

“For the longest time, I didn’t understand why I felt so sick,” Rexha wrote.

“Why I felt lows that made me not want to leave my house or be around people and why I felt highs that wouldn’t let me sleep, wouldn’t let me stop working or creating music. Now I know why.”

In a subsequent tweed that has now garnered more than 24,000 likes and 2,900 retweets, the “I’m a Mess” singer added: “I’m bipolar and I’m not ashamed anymore. That is all. (Crying my eyes out)”.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can lead your moods to swing from one extreme to the other, according to the NHS.

It was once known as manic depression as those who suffer from it may experience episodes of of lethargy and lowness in addition to having periods of mental highs.

While symptoms depend on which mood you’re experiencing, each extreme episode of bipolar disorder can last for several weeks, the NHS states, and some people with the condition may not experience a “normal” mood very often.

Rexha’s admission has prompted a flurry of support from her 1.32 million Twitter followers, with many praising the singer for her candour.

“We stand with you, Bebe,” wrote one fan. “Thank you for using your voice and not being ashamed of who you are. WE LOVE YOU.”

Another added that they too suffer from bipolar disorder: “There are so many of us,” they wrote. “You aren’t alone. I have been dealing with the obvious symptoms since I was at least 18, but was misdiagnosed with just MDD and anxiety until last December. I wish someone had figured it out sooner.”

In another tweet posted an hour later, Rexha told her fans that she didn’t want them to pity her.

“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me,” she wrote. “I just want you to accept me. That’s all. Love you.”