Lady Gaga Reveals Struggle With PTSD
For the first time publically, Lady Gaga revealed she struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The admission occurred during an emotional visit with homeless, LGBTQ teens in New York. The visit was broadcasted on a segment on the Today Show.
“I told the kids today, ‘I suffer from PTSD.’ I’ve never told anyone that before. So here we are,” Gaga said. “But the kindness that’s shown to me by doctors as well as my family, and my friends, it’s really saved my life.”
Gaga visited the Ali Forney Center in Harlem to surprise teens with gifts as part of Today and NBC Universal’s #ShareKindness campaign. The campaign encourages everyone to do something kind and charitable over the holiday season.
“These children are not just homeless or in need. Many of them are trauma survivors. They’ve been rejected in some type of way,” Gaga said. “My own trauma in my life has helped me to understand the trauma of others.”
As Gaga expressed her truth, many of the teens broke into tears. They shared their stories of trauma. The Ali Forney Center is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBT homeless youth in the United States.
“When family was pushing me away because I’m gay, all I had is you and Born This Way album on repeat,” one teen said.
During the visit, Lady Gaga led a brief meditation exercise, noting the practice helped her “calm down” in her darkest moments.
“I don’t have the same kind of issues that you have, but I have a mental illness and I struggle with that every day so I need my mantra to help keep me relaxed,” she said.
Self-Healing Through Kindness
Gaga says in her search for healing, she’s discovered that spreading kindness is the best way to heal.
“I am no better than any of those kids. And I’m no worse than any of them,” she said. “We are equal. We both walk our two feet on the same earth. And we’re in this together.”
In previous interviews, Gaga admitted to struggling with depression and anxiety. She has opened up about being raped at 19. She says she owes a huge part of her healing to her support network.
She said: “The kindness that’s been shown to me, by doctors as well as my family and my friends, it’s really saved my life.”
End the Stigma: Anyone Can Struggle with Mental Illness
In the midst of researching for this article, I was saddened to read comment statingGaga was exaggerating her mental disorder and that there was “no way” she could understand mental illness due to her fame and wealth. Some even stated that Gaga was faking her mental illness to boost sales of her new album.
Let us all be reminded that mental illness does not discriminate. It does not matter how rich or poor you are; anyone can have trauma. Whether it is childhood trauma or trauma that occurs later in life, no one knows a person’s true story.
“In the richest homes, I meet the saddest and most depressed people. With this album I wanted to remind the whole world and my fans that the most important things are love and kindness. Kindness is what will create harmony, not celebrity and not fame,” Gaga said.
A person’s background, wealth, and upbringing do not determine whether or not their mental illness is valid. Only they know the full story. Instead of passing judgment, find ways to contribute kindness to others. You never know whom you could help by lending a helping hand. Spread kindness, not negativity. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-777-9588.
Author: Shernide Delva