Mariah Carey has thanked fans on Instagram for their "overwhelming" support after the singer went public about her struggle with bipolar disorder.

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"I've been hard at work, feeling inspired by each of your stories and uplifted by your overwhelming support," Carey said Sunday alongside an image of herself taking part in a photoshoot.

"Let's continue to encourage each other on our journeys," she continued.

Carey announced that she was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder in 2001 after she was hospitalized for a physical and mental breakdown.

Bipolar II disorder involves having periods of depression and experiencing hypomania, a less severe form of mania seen in bipolar I disorder.

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"It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn't do that anymore," she said of making the announcement.

"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."

"I'm just in a really good place now," she continued. "[Bipolar disorder] does not have to define you and I refuse to allow it to define me or control me."