Pop superstar Ariana Grande has been open with her fans about experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the massacre at her Manchester concert in 2017 that took the lives of 22 people and injured over 100 more.
In an interview with British Vogue last year, Grande seemed like she felt guilty for suffering, saying,
It’s hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it’s a real thing. I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well. Time is the biggest thing. I feel like I shouldn’t even be talking about my own experience – like I shouldn’t even say anything. I don’t think I’ll ever know how to talk about it and not cry.
Grande posted an image of a brain scan on her Instagram stories on Thursday. The picture shows a comparison between a “healthy brain” and one with the effects of PTSD. It also included four shots of what is presumably Grande’s brain, which certainly looks to have affected areas.
On the image, Grande wrote, “hilarious and terrifying” and also, “not a joke.”
She also posted a selfie where she’d written, “she’s trying her muthaf**in best,” “life is wild,” and “my brain is tired” across her face.
Grande is currently on her Sweetener Tour, which is taking her around the US. She’ll be theyoungest female artist to ever headline Coachella when she takes the stage this weekend.
Grande’s fans immediately took to Twitter to express their concern about her.
honestly she needs a break. a very long one. just to fully heal and take in everything that has happened to her. i hope one day everything can be okay and find peace within herself. she deserves it. https://t.co/8iXWn8hdcd
— ??????♡ (@aIighted) April 11, 2019
It's not shocking that ariana puts up a strong font up to a crowd when she's still struggling and suffering from trauma and ptsd from manchester and other situations she was sadly involved in. I just hope she doesn't overwork herself and drain herself anymore mentally/physically
— sophia (@needygiaws) April 11, 2019
i’m so sad and worried for ariana. shes always making sure everyone else is happy and healthy, but can she please put her own happiness and health first. and take a break whenever it comes up/whenever she’s not feeling okay
— ً (@agtriIogy) April 11, 2019
ariana experienced so many traumas in such a short period of time and she’s releasing albums, doing multiple legs of tour and i truly hope she’s taking her time to heal
— carmen (@bocafruit) April 11, 2019
im scared for ariana, she doesn’t have a healthy brain at all. Her PTSD is high (her exam shows white spots all around her brain and there are too much.) too many areas are affected and it worries me to death. she needs to fucking rest. music can wait. tour can wait. we can wait.
— ????? (@ghostinangel) April 11, 2019
But, as some people pointed out, she is a strong woman.
Yet this woman is still touring and performing almost every night, recording and releasing music, etc. Women are strong as hell and Ariana isn't an exception, i hate this so much for her and i just hope she's taking care of herself bc she deserves to be happy https://t.co/4Ert8pC9PP
— Carli ? (@carlifiveH) April 12, 2019
And for her to keep performing shows just how much her fans mean to her.
PTSD is a serious mental illness and sometimes she really need a break from everything. the fact that ariana is still touring shows how much she cares. i really hope she makes sure to take care of herself ♡ pic.twitter.com/sSywLnCApI
— toni (@nasadeaky) April 12, 2019
In March, Grande tweeted about how she felt “so much healthier” since she’s started releasing music on her terms instead of according to the schedule of a record label.
it feels sm healthier & sm more authentic & rewarding. regardless of the outcome, i prefer this bc it’s real & feels happy. no games. i love music. i love the ppl i make it w. these past few months made me fall in love w this job all over again. so thank u sm for being down. ?? https://t.co/bUkTzRLXLM
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) March 28, 2019
So, while PTSD is absolutely no joke, it seems that Grande is definitely doing what she can to take care of her mental health.
