Mom of Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefey, Re-Learns How to be a Parent After Daughter's Bipolar Diagnosis

Mandy Teefey, the mom of Selena Gomez, has admitted that she had to learn how to parent again after her Hollywood famous daughter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020.

In an interview with Good Morning America, Teefey said that she had to find another way to speak to her daughter so that she would still feel loved and understood, especially during her mental health struggles. The mom said that she used to parent Selena with methods she picked up from her own parents. However, this became a problem between her and her daughter, so they had to adjust how they communicated.

Teefey got emotional as she talked about working with Gomez to deal with her mental issues. However, the mom said that she was determined to listen and "do the work" as well because Gomez needed her family's support.

Coming Up with Wondermind

Teefey also revealed that she struggled with her own mental health issues as a child. According to The Sun, she was misdiagnosed as bipolar, and then she took some decades to find the right tools to deal with her own trauma.

Because of their experiences, the mother and daughter pair decided to create a mental health platform that could help other people in the same boat. Teefey said they aspired to have an ecosystem where anyone could access various help. So, they hatched Wondermind with another young entrepreneur, Daniella Pierson, who runs a women's media company and has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The partners described Wondermind as a multifaceted website covering "honest, real-life topics." The group has also tapped licensed professionals in various fields of therapy and psychology to help with healing.

Mainly, Gomez said that Wondermind is there so that people who struggle with their own demons won't have to feel alone and won't have to reject the feeling of not being OK. For years, Gomez understood that feeling of loneliness herself.

Aside from having access to professional help, Wondermind also offers guides, tips, advice, and podcast interviews of noted personalities. This platform aims to be the "one-stop-shop for all aspects of mental fitness."

Stepping Away from the Internet

Gomez's latest venture with her mother and Pierson has allowed her to come back to the limelight after being off the grid for almost five years. The Hollywood star said that being away from social media has changed her life because she has been more present and connected to her inner self than ever before.

The former Disney star said that her decision to step out of the spotlight made her happier. Teefey agreed that this is the happiest she has seen her daughter, according to Yahoo!

Meanwhile, Gomez said that even though she doesn't have anyone special in her life as she turns 30 years old in July, she now doesn't feel alone at all. Instead, she has a stronger mindset, making her very excited to welcome another year and start the next chapter of her life.