Mel B has revealed plans to enter rehab after being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, pointing to her difficult divorce and the death of her father as likely reasons for her mental decline.The America’s Got Talent judge spoke to The Sun over the weekend about her decision to enter rehab while working on her upcoming book Brutally Honest. The singer, born Melanie Brown, called the writing process “unbelievably traumatic” as she was forced to contend with her recent divorce from producer Stephen Belafonte and the death of her father in March 2017. “I’ve been working with a writer on my book, Brutally Honest, and it has been unbelievably traumatic reliving an emotionally abusive relationship and confronting so many massive issues in my life,” she told the paper, while also revealing she had been recently diagnosed with PTSD. “I am being very honest about drinking to numb my pain, but that is just a way a lot of people mask what is really going on,” she added.The former Spice Girl and Belafonte finalized their divorce in December 2017 after 10 years of marriage. PEOPLE confirmed in July that Brown was ordered to pay Belafonte $40,000 per month in temporary spousal support and pay for $140,000 in attorney and forensic fees on Belafonte’s behalf.
Brown also said that she wants to do her rehab treatment program in her native country, England. “[I]t has to be in the U.K. because I am very, very British and I know that will work best for me,” she explained of the choice.In addition to her statement, Mel B tweeted, “Knowledge is power,” along with a link to a website detailing PTSD.
“I am still struggling. But if I can shine a light on the issue of pain, PTSD and the things men and women do to mask it, I will do,” she told The Sun.