America’s Got Talent judge and former Spice Girl, Mel B, whose real name is Melanie Brown, revealed to a U.K. newspaper on Saturday, August 25, that she was recently diagnosed with PTSD after an “incredibly difficult” six months. Her father, Martin Brown, died in March 2017 after battling cancer, and she finalized her bitter divorce from Stephen Belafonte nine months later.
All of that combined sent her on a downward spiral that led her to even change the type of therapy she's had in order to address all the issues she's facing.
“I have recently been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. I don’t want to jinx it, but so far it’s really helping me,” Mel B told The Sun. “I’m not perfect, and I have never pretended to be. But I am working on being a better version of myself for my kids - whom I love more than life itself - and for all the people who have supported me.”
“I’ve been working with a writer on my book, Brutally Honest, and it has been unbelievably traumatic reliving an emotionally abusive relationship and confronting so many massive issues in my life, from the death of my dad to my relationship with men,” she purportedly said in the statement. “I am being very honest in my book about drinking to numb my pain, but that is just a way a lot of people mask what is really going on. Sometimes it is too hard to cope with all the emotions I feel.”
In her published statement, Brown cited her split from Belafonte as a motivating factor for seeking therapy, claiming the past six months working on her book "has been unbelievably traumatic reliving an emotionally abusive relationship and confronting so many massive issues in my life."
She even cut out a piece of her skin where she had a tattood the name of Belafonte on her, in order to truly erase him from her life.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
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Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.
According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause...
... significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.
PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
“Sometimes it is too hard to cope with all the emotions I feel," her statement went on to read. "But the problem has never been about sex or alcohol – it is underneath all that. ... I am still struggling but if I can shine a light on the issue of pain, PTSD and the things men and women do to mask it, I will do."
