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."
Lady Gaga: I have post-traumatic stress disorder
