How Lady Gaga's Reveal on the 'Today' Show Helped Me With My PTSD
Lady Gaga is not only known for her songs and her role in the now hit show “American Horror Story,” but for her humanitarian efforts and love for people. She has shown many women, girls, men and boys that it is OK to be yourself and sends body-positive messages.
Recently Lady Gaga came out with the information that she has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while on the “Today” show. I do not think she knew what the implications of her telling the world about this was when she did it, but they’re huge for some of us.
When I heard that a successful, kind woman like her has PTSD too, I didn’t feel so alone. I felt like perhaps if Lady Gaga can deal with the effects of something as hard as post-traumatic stress and still be who she is… maybe I can too. Maybe I can achieve my dreams. Maybe this doesn’t have to control my whole life.
I had big dreams for myself before my PTSD, and I still do, but I have never really, truly thought I could achieve them. I felt hopeless in my trauma and wasn’t sure it would let me do anything good with my life.
Now, I am sure. I can do it.
If Lady Gaga found a way to work through her trauma to become who she is today, I can too. I will open my restaurant and my church group with my husband. I will help LGBTQIA youth and the homeless with those things. I can get there.
So if by chance you ever ready this, thank you, Lady Gaga. Thank you for inspiring me and I’m sure many others. Thank you for being you and using your platform for good. I am very grateful.
If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page. If you need a safe place to talk, you can call the Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386.
If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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I am a 25 year-old, who has been living with various chronic illnesses, mental and physical. I wanted to write for The Mighty to be able to be my own advocate and to show people what it is like to have these conditions.
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