Ari is on top of the physical world. You can’t go anywhere without hearing “Thank You, Next”, “7 Rings” or “Imagine” playing from the sweet heavens.
However, for all the success and love Ariana has had in her life, there’s no denying our sweet angel Ari has experienced trauma as well.
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In an interview with British Vougue back in July 2018, Ariana opened up about her PTSD after the Manchester bombing the year before.
The Manchester Arena bombing (May 22nd, 2017) tragically took the lives of 22 fans outside of the arena where Ariana had just finished her concert.
“I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well,” she explained .
“Time is the biggest thing,” she continued.
“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.”
Ari has also been very open with her mental health journey after the loss of her ex boyfriend and best friend Mac Miller.
She has explained her anxiety on social media to her fans before.
So, when Ari shared a picture of her brain scan on Instagram with the caption “hilarious and terrifying,” fans were worried!
Now, if you’re like me and see just a lot of lit up brain space and a few different designs and illustrations that don’t mean anything to you don’t worry , we’re about to break it down for you.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition.
It makes it nearly impossible for people who have experienced trauma to stop remembering the negative event they experienced.
These negative experiences are so powerful that they can actually change the structure and function of our brains.
This means that the brain of someone with PTSD looks and works differently than a person who does not have PTSD, which is what we’re seeing with Ari.
The major three areas of the brain affected by PTSD are the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the medial frontal cortex, and if you look at Ariana’s brain scan, this is what you see lit up.
Basically, PTSD affects areas of the brain responsible for our memories and emotion processing, and makes them hyperactive.
Basically, PTSD affects areas of the brain responsible for our memories and emotion processing, and makes them hyperactive.
And if that sounds really intense it’s because it IS and us fans were spooked.
“Didn’t mean to startle anyone with my brain thingy,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Didn’t mean to startle anyone with my brain thingy,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I love science and seeing the physical reality of what’s going on in there was incredible to me. Someday, when I’m more healed up, we can talk more about it.”
Thankfully, it seems like Ari is taking care of herself as best as she can.
In caring for Mac Miller’s dog Myron, Ari is actually helping her PTSD recovery at the same time.
Thesis? Dogs are magical!
She also has an amazing support group of fearless females who keep her grounded.
When she sat down with Billboard Ari credited her strength to her friends which is where the inspiration for 7 Rings came from, ““It was a… challenging fall day in New York. Me and my friends went to Tiffany’s together, just because we needed some retail therapy… They got us very tipsy, so we bought seven engagement rings, and when I got back to the studio I gave everybody a friendship ring. That’s why we have these, and that’s where the song idea came from.”
In that same interview, Ari said she’s both “really lucky and really unlucky at the same time.”
“I can’t even say ‘Good morning’ to anyone without crying,” she said. “When life tries you with such serious sh t so many times, your priorities change. I don’t give a sh t. I just want to be happy and healthy — one day — and make music.”
Fans have been sending Ari love on social, letting their pop queen KNOW she is heard.
The devastation of the Manchester attack would be enough to break anyone, let alone everything else Ari has suffered through.
Having such a huge celebrity use their platform for mental health awareness is huge.
Breaking the stigma and inspiring others to openly discuss their mental health issues is so incredibly important and inspiring.
Of course we’re worried for our girl but we also couldn’t be more proud of her journey and sharing her vulnerability with her fans.
UGH, as if we couldn’t stan Ari more!
