Content Warning: The following article contains references to rape, sexual assault and self-harm.
During her appearance on Prince Harry and Oprah’s documentary – The Me You Can’t See – Lady Gaga spoke openly about the impact of sexual assault on her mental health.
In 2014, the singer said that she had been raped when she was 19.
Lady Gaga elaborated on the effects of the attack during her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
“First I felt full-on pain, then I felt numb, and then I was sick for weeks after. I realised that it was the same pain that I felt when the person who raped me dropped me off pregnant on a corner [by] my parents house because I was vomiting and sick. Because I had been abused, and I was locked away in a studio for months.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPIwmvmpF5P/
She continued: “I had a total psychotic break, and for a couple of years, I was not the same girl. The way I feel when I feel pain was how I felt after I was raped. I’ve had so many MRIs and scans where they don’t find nothing. But your body remembers.”
The singer added that she dealt with impulses to harm herself in the aftermath of the attack.
“You know why it’s not good to cut?” she said. “You know why it’s not good to throw yourself against a wall? You know why it’s not good to self-harm? Because it makes you feel worse.”
She continued: “You think you’re going to feel better because you’re showing somebody, ‘Look, I’m in pain.’ It doesn’t help.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on their national 24-hour helpline on 1800 778 888.They also provide a text service at 086 8238 443.
Additionally, the Samaritans can be reached for free day and night by calling 116 123. For more information on getting support, head to their website.
