Selena Gomez underwent a kidney transplant last year. Photo / via Instagram
Selena Gomez underwent a kidney transplant last year. Photo / via Instagram
Selena Gomez is undergoing treatment at a mental health facility after being hospitalised twice in the past fortnight, according to US reports.
The 26-year-old singer was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles last month after it emerged she had a low white blood cell count — a potentialside effect for kidney transplant patients, TMZ reports.
Gomez, who underwent a kidney transplant last year, was then taken to hospital a second time last week as her cell count didn't go up and "freaked out" when she couldn't leave, news.com.au reports.
Sources told TMZ the singer had "a meltdown" while trying to take the IVs out of her arms, with the incident described as an "emotional breakdown".
Another source told People magazine Gomez had a "panic attack" during the second hospital visit and it prompted her to seek treatment.
"She has had a tough few weeks and the panic attack in the hospital was the tipping point," they told the magazine.
"She realised she needed to seek additional help for her ongoing emotional issues. She's surrounded by close family and has a lot of support. She's doing better now and is seeking treatment on the East Coast."
TMZ claims Gomez is receiving dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and has received that same type of medical care in the past. It is used to treat a range of mental health issues.
"As much as I am grateful for the voice that social media gives each of us, I am equally grateful to be able to step back and live my life present to the moment I have been given," she wrote.
"Kindness and encouragement only for a bit! Just remember — negative comments can hurt anybody's feelings. Obvi."
Days earlier she opened up to fans in an hour-long Instagram Live session, in which she revealed "depression was my life for five years straight".
"Depression and anxiety was the forefront of everything I did in my life, every single thing."
In September, her on/off boyfriend of eight years Justin Bieber reportedly married Hailey Baldwin.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
