Lady Gaga admited that she suffers from PTSD, and her honesty is so empowering
In her new album, Joanne, Lady Gaga feels like she’s singing more from the soul. It’s raw. It’s personal. And it’s awesome. Lady Gaga has been opening up a lot more lately, and the more we learn about her, the more inspired we are. In an appearance on The TODAY Show, Lady Gaga admitted her struggle with post traumatic stress disorder. Her PTSD stems from her experience with sexual assault — she was raped when she was nineteen. Now, for the first time, Lady Gaga is opening up about her struggle with a mental illness.
Lady Gaga explained that her struggle with PTSD helps her empathize with the trauma of others.
Lady Gaga 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 fact that she can find the bright and empathetic side to such a tough struggle inspires us.
Lady Gaga also emphasizes the importance of a support system when you’re struggling.
"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."
We hear her on that. And her message applies not only to those suffering from a mental illness, but also to the people around them. If you know someone who is hurting, as Lady Gaga says, help them with kindness.
Lady Gaga also talked about her fame, and the fact that it isn’t the answer to happiness.
"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."
Those are beautiful words. And we can hear the notes of kindness throughout Joanne.
