Keeping it Together: Chappell Roan deserves a mental health break

Chappell Roan took a short break from touring to prioritize her mental health − and the backlash she is facing points to a bigger issue.

Hello! I'm Alyssa, a wellness reporter here at USA TODAY, and this week, I looked into the stress of touring on musicians and what people get wrong about bipolar disorder .

The breakout queer pop star recently canceled two festival appearances and has since been called “ unprofessional ” and “ not built for fame .” Yet, Roan has been open about living with bipolar II disorder, which she says makes it difficult for her to regulate her emotions and navigate her newfound success. “Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it,” she wrote in an Instagram story on September 27.

Mental health experts say the stress of performing can force artists to reach a breaking point, and many refuse to rest until it's too late. Bipolar disorder also differs from major depressive disorder, in that changes in light, time zones and sleep schedules can negatively impact your mood, according to Judith Joseph, MD, a psychiatrist and media consultant who researches high-functioning mental health conditions.

"Being a performer and having a tour is stressful in of itself, let alone having to manage a condition that is vulnerable to stress," Joseph says. "They’re disappointing fans in the short term, but in the long term, they’re going to disappoint people indefinitely if they don’t slow down and take care of themselves."

You can learn more about bipolar disorder here and find these other fascinating reads from the week below.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Keeping it Together: Chappell Roan deserves a mental health break