Selena Gomez Returns To Rehab To Focus On ‘Mental Health’ Amid Lupus: Inside Her ‘Dark’ Struggles


When Selena Gomez announced that she was cancelling the rest of her Revival Tour, the singer was candid in sharing the reason for her decision: Lupus, an autoimmune disease with symptoms including anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Rumors swirled, however, that Gomez’s career break was caused by everything from getting tangled in Brad Pitt’s breakup with Angelina Jolie to her battle on Instagram with Justin Bieber, along with conflicting reports about her location, which ranged from an East Coast rehab to a getaway in Mexico.

Selena has openly shared her struggles with lupus since 2014, pointed out Vogue. The most-followed person on Instagram, she also has raised awareness of the emotional side effects of her autoimmune disease.

And while rehab often is associated with addiction, Gomez reportedly has turned to rehab again specifically to focus on her mental health, according to a new report.

Us Weekly reported that “multiple sources” have confirmed that the “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” singer is at a rehab in Tennessee.

Her recovery at a Tennessee treatment facility follows the August 30 announcement that Gomez had decided to take a career break in order to cope with “anxiety, panic attacks and depression.” The 34 remaining dates on her Revival Tour were subsequently canceled. One of the insiders explained to Us that the singer’s struggles focus on her emotional health, although she also is coping with lupus.

“Selena is dealing with lupus, but this break is to focus on her mental health. She can go to a very dark place.”

The rehab, which is located just outside of Nashville, is “super intense,” but also provides a “private and quiet place” for the singer to heal, added the source. The visit to the treatment facility follows the former Disney Channel star’s rehab stay in 2014. That visit occurred a year after she learned that she had lupus, which is a chronic autoimmune disease.

Selena Gomez thrilled fans during her Revival Tour. [Image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

As for when her loyal fans, known as Selenators, can expect new music? Selena has halted her work on new music, according to another of the sources.

“She was supposed to be recording, but she hasn’t told anyone when she’ll be back in studio,” revealed a music industry source.

The time off hasn’t prevented Gomez from posing with delighted Selenators.

She’s also enjoying visits with her family, including dinner at the Texas Roadhouse, located in Alcoa, Tennessee, with her mom and stepfather, Brian Teefey, on October 8. In addition, the Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising actress breakfasted with her grandparents at the Riverstone Restaurant in Townsend, Tennessee.

“She was laughing a lot with them while she was eating,” commented an observer, who noticed her eating grits and dishing with Selenators. “She seemed happy and relaxed.”

Although she’s focusing on her “mental health,” Selena has been keeping journals, with the hope of transforming those diaries into music after rehab, according to Hollywood Life.

When she is ready to return to the studio, will the “Same Old Love” singer have new songs ready for her Selenators? Her creativity may be channeled into songs that are the opposite of her soft pop, a source told Hollywood Life.

Selena Gomez reportedly is focusing on her “mental health” during a stay in rehab. [Image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

“[Gomez] is an artist by nature and the only way she knows how to handle her depression is by channeling it into something creative,” explained the insider. “One of her doctors suggested that she keep a journal and she’s finding a lot of what she’s written will make for great songs, but it will be more singer/songwriter type stuff, as opposed to the pop stuff she’s known for.”

But even without new music, her followers, are delighted to see their pop princess in public again. Those who saw her at the Texas Roadhouse even posed with Selena.

“She enjoyed herself and was there for a late lunch,” revealed one eyewitness. “She couldn’t have been more gracious to everyone and to the fans and was more than happy to take pictures with whoever.”

As for what caused Gomez’s mental health issues, a source told Us Weekly that she “can be fragile emotionally.” That alleged emotional fragility was evident during her Instagram battle with the Biebs, according to the insider.

“Selena lost it. She can be fragile emotionally and Justin is a major factor.”

However, in her statement about the reason for canceling her Revival tour, the “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” crooner emphasized the link between her mental health and her lupus struggles.

“I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of Lupus, which can present their own challenges,” she clarified in her statement. “I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off.”

[Featured Image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

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