By Louise Thornley for The Spinoff

We can look to people with chronic health conditions for ideas on how to survive – and even thrive – in self-isolation at home, writes Louise Thornley.

Lady Gaga told the world in 2017 that she suffers from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. Affected by severe pain, fatigue, sleep problems and depression, her health has sometimes forced her to pull out of performances – she cancelled 10 European concerts in 2018.

Gaga's become a pro at self-isolation; at her worst, major health crashes mean her only option is to rest.

Even before her health diagnosis, she toyed with self-isolating behaviour as a way to cope with fame. In her first few years of fame, she admits she used to hide in her house.

"I hid a lot… And it really drove me crazy. So I've really had to make more of an effort to go out more. I mean, can you imagine what it's like not to feel real wind? Honestly, I hadn't felt real wind for years!"

In a striking change of tune, in 2017 Gaga invited the world into her home with a revealing Netflix documentary called Gaga: Five Foot Two. Here she allows the film crew to show her struggling with fibromyalgia symptoms. She's hiding no more.