Selena Gomez Reportedly Had A ‘Breakdown’ Over Her 'Low White Blood Cell Count'

Selena Gomez is reportedly seeking treatment for her mental health after suffering an emotional breakdown while in the hospital.

Selena, who has lupus and underwent a kidney transplant in 2017, was hospitalized twice within the last few weeks, according to People, and both times it was for a low white blood cell count.

A source tells People that Selena, 26, had a panic attack during her second hospital visit. “She realized she needed to seek additional help for her ongoing emotional issues,” the source tells People.

What does it mean to have a ‘low white blood cell count’?

Let’s back up a sec: Selena has systemic lupus erythematosus (a.k.a, lupus), which is a autoimmune disease that occurs when the body attacks its own organs and tissues, according to the the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Treatment for lupus typically works by suppressing the body’s immune response (and a kidney transplant can also have this effect). Both of those factors could result in a low white blood cell count, says Neeraj Gandotra, M.D., chief medical officer at Delphi Behavioral Health Group.

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I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

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View this post on Instagram

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

View this post on Instagram

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

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Someone with a lowered white blood cell count may develop frequent infections and suffer from fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and bleeding, Gandotra says. “They’ll find themselves with persistent infections that they can’t shake,” he says.

And yes, that could definitely trigger a decline in mental health. “This can be quite challenging and emotionally difficult,” says Sean Fischer, M.D., a medical oncologist and hematologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

Because there’s an increased risk for infection with low white blood cell counts, patients may have to make extreme lifestyle changes. “When someone with lupus had a low white blood cell count, this generally would lead to physicians recommending…limited exposure to potential environmental pathogens,” says Fischer. That could include staying indoors and avoiding public places and crowds. “It’s commonplace to recommend that patients are kept rather isolated,” he adds.

Plus, lupus can cause anxiety even when someone isn’t dealing with low blood counts, Gandotra says. Lupus and its side effects “do have an impact on someone’s sense of self,” he says. “It can shake your confidence and make you feel like you don’t have control.”

Selena is reportedly undergoing dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

DBT is a type of psychotherapy typically used to help people with borderline personality disorder, says Gandotra—though it can also help treat other mental health issues like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, among others.

“In theory, DBT helps people to develop and learn new skills so that they can fight impulses of self-destructive behavior,” Gandotra says. “It helps them manage painful emotions and decrease conflict that they might have in their relationships.” And, he adds, DBT has “been used to help people tolerate stress” which could come along with health issues.

There’s been no official word from Selena or her publicist on her condition or situation; but in late September, the singer announced via Instagram that she would be taking a social media break.

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Mood lol (I was looking at myself in the mirror -like an idiot!) Update: taking a social media break. Again. 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. Kindness and encouragement only for a bit! Just remember- negative comments can hurt anybody’s feelings. Obvi.

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This piece will be updated as more information becomes available.

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