In August of 2018, gossip columns were reporting that “Mel B”, host of America’s Got Talent, well known “Scary Spice” of the Spice Girls, and British icon, was seeking rehab. Recently, Mel B had opened up about having difficulties with alcohol abuse and unregulated sexual behaviors. Naturally, the media read her comments as “alcoholism” and “sex addiction” rather than read between the lines and dig through the layers of what was really going on in Mel B’s life: trauma. While opening up her heart and soul for her soon to be released book, Brutally Honest, Mel B had to relive much of the trauma of her longstanding abusive marriage, as well as a difficult divorce. She has spoken openly about her experiences while in a relationship with her ex-husband and the horror she had to bear both in her marriage and during her divorce. Realizing that she had trauma to process, Mel B sought professional help. She was given a diagnosis of PTSD and came to understand that she was turning to certain coping mechanisms in her life which weren’t serving her, like alcohol and sexual activity.
After making an appearance on The Ellen Show with guest host Lea Michelle, star of hit TV show Glee and performing artist, Mel B announced that she would be entering treatment for PTSD. “The past six months have been incredibly difficult for me,” Brown told Michelle. “Sometimes it is too hard to cope with all the emotions I feel.” She then acknowledges something which can take people years to understand until they start working with psychological professionals specifically on trauma. Her alcohol and sex habits were born out of a need to cope with the pain of experiencing trauma in her marriage. “…The problem has never been about sex or alcohol,” Brown explained, “it is underneath all that.” She goes onto to state her awareness for having been in at a “crisis point” for some time and that she is glad she is finally seeking help.
Professional assistance in overcoming trauma is critical. Through treatment, individuals can access proven therapeutic techniques like EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing which is proven to reduce symptoms of PTSD and help individuals better process their traumatic memories. Mel B spoke to her experiences with EMDR and explained that while she doesn’t want to “jinx” the process, it seems to be working for her and helping her overcome the trauma of her past.
Trauma is most often the root cause of many emotional, behavioral, and mood disorders. Until you can heal your trauma, you will find great difficulty finding the healing you need to live a life of recovery, health, and wellness. At Khiron House, we provide effective residential treatment and cutting edge therapies which seek to transform mind, body, and spirit from the effects of trauma. Call us today for information. UK: 020 3811 2575 (24 hours) USA: (866) 801 6184 (24 hours).
