Kathy Griffin reveals she has been diagnosed with 'complex PTSD' which started after Trump head incident
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Kathy Griffin recently revealed that she had been given a "complex PTSD" diagnosis. In a video posted on TikTok this week, the comedian, 62, spoke about her illness, asking her followers for advice on how to deal with depression and anxiety.
According to the UK's National Health Service, symptoms of PTSD might include periods where a person "involuntarily and vividly" relives a dreadful incident. Complex PTSD can also make it difficult to "manage your emotions and have relationships."
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'Let's talk about PTSD'
"Let's talk about PTSD. Never talked about it publicly," Griffin said at the beginning of the TikTok video, adding, "You can laugh or whatever, but I've been diagnosed with complex PTSD, and it's called an extreme case."
The comedian continued, "If any of you know my story, you'll understand that this really started for me about 5 ½ years ago. Wink," she said, referring to the incident in 2017 when she posed for a picture holding a blood splattered replica of Donald Trump's head, which led to professional and personal repercussions for the comedian.
One of her fans commented that she should try out EMDR therapy. The Cleveland Clinic describes the treatment as, "Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. EMDR’s goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences."
Griffin replied to the comment, "Yes, I'm going to try EMDR. My good pal Sia has been helping me out. She recommended a really good doctor." She also posted a video on Instagram detailing her illness.
Griffin had revealed in August 2021 that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer despite having "never smoked." She had to undergo surgery to remove part of her left lung and announced she was cancer-free in December that same year.
Why was Kathy Griffin fired from CNN?
MEAWW had earlier reported that Griffin was fired by CNN after the severed Trump head controversy. Confirming the news, CNN tweeted at that time, "CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program."
CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017
'Big hugs to you Miss Griffin'
Fans took to social media to support Griffin. A fan commented on her Instagram post, "Big hugs to you Miss Griffin panic attacks have been a recent thing for me and one thing that really helps me is to sit quietly and put on one of your specials your joy and humour always helps to bring me back. Thank you for sharing with us. Love ya diva." A second fan commented, "I’m so sorry. Panic attacks are horrible. When you’re not having them you think that it couldn’t possibly happen again and then it does and you feel like it would be easier if you just died. Keep on exercising and breathing and take meds if you have to until you are out of the cycle oh and know that we love you!" Art critic Jerry Saltz commented, "Thank you for your service to your country. Medal of Honor for standing in the direct line of fire. Bless the light that shines on your genius." Someone else commented, "Your journey is a powerful reminder of what survival can look like. Thank you for this. I can’t tell you how helpful hearing you and being wit you, has been."
Fans and followers took to Twitter as well to support the comedian. A fan tweeted, "Wishing her peace & healing. I think it’s helpful to remember healing is not a linear journey, it’s a like a rollercoaster with ups and downs & PTSD is a very difficult diagnosis to live with. I hope she is surrounded with supportive people that can help uplift her through this." Another person tweeted, "Wishing recovery and peace for her."
Wishing her peace & healing. I think it’s helpful to remember healing is not a linear journey, it’s a like a rollercoaster with ups and downs & PTSD is a very difficult diagnosis to live with. I hope she is surrounded with supportive people that can help uplift her through this
— Shannon🇺🇸/Commander🎖/⚓️🦭/FF🇺🇦/Anderson/AAA (@ShannonOliviaP1) April 16, 2023
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