"As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways. I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges," the pop star said in a statement sent to USA TODAY.
With her recently wrapped Revival world tour behind her, "I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off," she continued.
"Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone and by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues.”
Gomez told Billboard last October she had been undergoing chemotherapy to treat the disease. "I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again," she said then about taking time off.
Lupus is a chronic disease in which a person's body is attacked by the immune system, which normally fights infections and foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, physician Gary Gilkeson, chairman of the Lupus Foundation of America's medical scientific advisory council, told USA TODAY previously.
Lupus can cause a variety of symptoms, including severe fatigue, headaches, painful or swollen joints, fever, swelling in the hands or ankles, a butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks, sensitivity to light, mouth and nose ulcers, anemia and hair loss.
