Selena Gomez attends the premiere of "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer...

Selena Gomez attends the premiere of "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation" on June 30, 2018, in Westwood, Calif. Credit: Getty Images/Christopher Polk

Singer-actress Selena Gomez, who was widely reported to have entered a treatment facility in October after suffering an emotional breakdown, has returned to social media after a nearly four-month break.

"It's been awhile since you have heard from me," Gomez, 26, wrote on Instagram, posting a tinted monochromatic close-up of herself wearing a white peasant blouse, her eyes serenely half-closed, "but I wanted to wish everyone a happy new year and to thank you for your love and support.

"Last year was definitely a year of self-reflection, challenges and growth," she continued. "It's always those challenges which show you who you are and what you are capable of overcoming. Trust me, it's not easy, but I am proud of the person I am becoming and look forward to the year ahead. Love you all.” She has not additionally commented on Twitter or Facebook.

Except for a handful of promotional posts for the DJ Snake song "Taki Taki" featuring Gomez, Cardi B and Ozuna, Gomez had last communicated to fans on Sept. 23.

"Mood lol (I was looking at myself in the mirror -like an idiot!)," she wrote on Instagram at the time. "Update: taking a social media break. Again. As much as I am grateful for the voice that social media gives each of us, I am equally grateful to be able to step back and live my life present to the moment I have been given. Kindness and encouragement only for a bit! Just remember- negative comments can hurt anybody's feelings. Obvi."

TMZ.com reported on Oct. 10 that Gomez, who suffers from lupus, had been hospitalized twice over the preceding two weeks, the latter time suffering what anonymous sources called an emotional breakdown after being admitted. The singer, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2017, had learned in late September 2018 that her white-blood-cell count was disturbingly low, the website said.

Following the reported breakdown, Gomez was admitted to a psychiatric facility on the East Coast, TMZ added. People magazine and E! News each said independently that they had confirmed the website's account, with People characterizing the breakdown as a "panic attack." By Dec. 18, Gomez appeared to be out of treatment and was shot on video and photographed hiking along a trail in Malibu, California, alongside others.

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