Daisy Ridley reveals Graves’ disease diagnosis: ‘I just thought I was annoyed at the world’

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As a film enthusiast with a profound appreciation for resilience and grit, I find Daisy Ridley’s journey truly inspiring. The news about her battling Graves’ disease while filming “Young Woman and the Sea” is a testament to her determination and fortitude.

During the filming of “Young Woman and the Sea,” Daisy Ridley faced challenges beyond just the ocean’s waves, as she recently disclosed that she is dealing with Graves’ disease.

In a recent interview with Women’s Health, the “Star Wars” actor revealed that he had never spoken publicly about his battle with Graves’ disease before, which is an autoimmune condition where the thyroid gland becomes overactive.

For several years, the actress has openly discussed her health issues, including a 2016 Instagram post where she revealed she was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 15. Endometriosis is a condition characterized by the growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus, as explained by the Office on Women’s Health. Additionally, she has been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a disorder from the Office on Women’s Health that causes hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems which may impact overall health and appearance.

In September 2023, Ridley was diagnosed with Graves’ disease as she shared with Women’s Health. She mentioned that after filming “Magpie,” where she portrayed an unhappy wife, she began to feel unwell. She speculated that her role might have been the cause of her discomfort. Her symptoms included weight loss, fatigue, tremors, an accelerated heart rate, and increased irritability.

In a lighthearted manner, the 32-year-old Jedi remarked, “It struck me as amusing; I thought I was merely irritated with the world, but it seems everything is moving at such a fast pace that it’s difficult to relax.”

Ridley plays a dual role, serving as both the executive producer and the main actor in the film based on Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, who was the first woman to swim the English Channel. These positions are not for relaxing; they require constant attention. Even during the intense swimming scenes in “Young Woman and the Sea,” her health issues made her more conscious of her diet and lifestyle, paying close attention to her body. She’s already a vegan and is reducing her gluten intake. She admitted that she hadn’t fully realized how unwell she was feeling before her diagnosis.

“People often recognize the data showing women are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed, and it becomes more acceptable for them to admit, ‘I’m honestly not feeling well,’ rather than repeating ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ This situation of not feeling good has become a norm.”

She added: “I’ve always been health-conscious and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious.”

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2024-08-10 01:07