Lady Gaga reveals she suffered post-rape PTSD struggle after she was raped at 19

US singer, Lady Gaga, in an interview broadcast on NBC's Today show on Monday revealed that she suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD after she was raped at the age of 19.

The 30-year-old singer, two years ago said that she had been raped at the age of 19 by a man who was 20 years older her. 

Gaga who visited a homeless shelter for LGBT young people in New York, shared her PTSD diagnosis for the first time.

She told a group of teenagers at the Ali Forney Centre in Harlem that she uses meditation to help her her "calm down" and admitted that she still struggles with her mental illness "every day".

"These children are not just homeless or in need; many of them are trauma survivors. They've been rejected in some type of way. My own trauma in my life has helped me understand the trauma of others, she said.

"I have a mental illness and I struggle with that mental illness every day. I suffer from PTSD. I've never told anyone that before, so here we are, she continued.

"But the kindness that’s been shown to me by doctors - as well as my family and my friends - it’s really saved my life. I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way," she added.

Lady Gaga later tweeted: 

"Today I shared one my deepest secrets with the world. Secrets keep you sick with shame."

Gaga's appearance on the show was part of a campaign to inspire kindness.

She said the kindness that's been shown to her by doctors, family and friends has saved her life.

Associated Press