Lady Gaga: I have post-traumatic stress disorder
Lady Gaga suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The 30-year-old pop star – who was raped at age 19 – said her own life struggles have helped her to empathise with others who have suffered similar trauma.
She said: "I have a mental illness and I struggle with that mental illness every day.
"My own trauma in my own life has helped me to understand the trauma of others."
The ‘Joanne’ singer has remained tight-lipped about her own PTSD until now.
She told the ‘Today’ show: "I suffer from PTSD. I’ve never told anyone that before, so here we are."
But Gaga admitted she is fortunate to have a strong support network around her, explaining that their kindness has helped to "heal" her psychological wounds.
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 … I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way."
After the show, Gaga took to her Twitter account to post a clip of her interview and captioned it: "Today I shared one my deepest secrets w/ the world. Secrets keep you sick w/ shame (sic)"
This comes shortly after Gaga admitted fame doesn’t make people happy.
The ‘Bad Romance’ hitmaker believes celebrities have been "put on a pedestal" and feels kindness is far more important than celebrity and fame.
She said: "Money has been put on a pedestal, beauty has been put on a pedestal, celebrity has been put on a pedestal. I have travelled the world and seen the happiest people in the poorest parts of the world.
"Their values are intact. 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."
