Mariah Carey's 'breakthrough' breakdown

Mariah Carey believes her breakdown was a major "breakthrough" in her life.

The singer, who was hospitalised in 2001 after suffering from "exhaustion", is convinced she needed to hit "rock bottom" to sort her life out.

She told Interview magazine: "I consider the breakdown a breakthrough. I needed to hit rock bottom. I needed to understand the cost of pushing so hard, fighting so hard against the system. But was I out of control at that moment? Yes."

Mariah - who appears naked on the front of the US publication - also admits she is still learning how to successfully juggle her career and personal life.

She added: "I'm far from perfect. I'm still learning. I overworked myself, and I paid the price."

Mariah first sparked fears for her mental health in 2001 after she left a series of strange postings on her website complaining of being overworked.

Later that year, she infamously performed a semi-strip tease during a bizarre appearance on MTV's 'Total Request Live' show, which left host Carson Daly covering his eyes. Just days later, Mariah checked into hospital.