Daisy Ridley reveals she’s been diagnosed with Graves’ disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a ‘really stressful’ film role

Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role

As an ardent fan of Daisy Ridley, I find myself constantly amazed by her resilience and determination, both on and off-screen. Her latest revelation about being diagnosed with Graves’ disease is yet another testament to her indomitable spirit.


Daisy Ridley has revealed she’s been diagnosed with Graves’ disease.

For the initial time, the actress, aged 32, shared insights into her struggle with an autoimmune condition in a conversation with Women’s Health magazine. During this interview, she disclosed that she initially attributed her symptoms to a particularly demanding movie role.

Graves’ disease refers to a health condition in which your body’s immune system generates antibodies that overstimulate the thyroid gland, resulting in excessive production of thyroid hormones, as explained by the National Health Service (NHS).

Graves’ disease appears to have an undetermined origin, predominantly affecting younger and middle-aged females, and frequently showing a familial pattern.

The renowned Star Wars actress disclosed details about her personal health struggle, revealing for the first time that she has been dealing with Graves’ disease.

Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role

Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role

Following the filming of the psychological thriller Magpie, Daisy experienced symptoms such as hot flashes and fatigue. Believing these issues were related to her acting role, she sought advice from her general practitioner (GP).

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my thoughts: “After delivering such a tense performance, it seems logical that I find myself feeling under the weather.”

Later on, she was advised to consult with a specialist in hormonal conditions, known as an endocrinologist. This doctor eventually explained that her symptoms could be described as feeling exhausted yet restless, often termed as ‘tired but wired.’

The star was battling issues such as uncontrollable hand shaking, rapid pulse, significant weight reduction, and exhaustion.

Upon learning about potential events unfolding, Daisy suddenly understood things more clearly, remarking, “I found it amusing; it seemed as if I’d merely been irritated with the world, but in reality, everything is moving at such a rapid pace that relaxation becomes nearly impossible.”

Although the Young Woman and the Starfish shared feelings of sorrow due to her health issue, they both experienced a hint of annoyance because she was diligent about taking care of her body physically.

In spite of it all, Daisy decided to adopt some modifications in her lifestyle to better cope with her condition. She chose to maintain a thoughtful eating habit, one that isn’t overly restrictive for her, and also prioritized self-care by incorporating regular exercise into her routine, as a means to boost her wellbeing.

Following these modifications, Beauty expressed a sense of improved well-being and heightened awareness of her surroundings. She remarked that she hadn’t fully appreciated just how poorly she had been feeling prior to these changes.

Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role
Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role

Daisy mentioned she’s still practicing listening to her body, which is a skill not all women naturally embrace.

As an ardent advocate, I can’t help but echo the sentiments shared: ‘It’s staggering how often we women are overlooked or misdiagnosed when it comes to our health. The statistics are alarming, yet, all too familiar – a chilling normalization of not feeling well. Instead of insisting, “I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine,” we find ourselves bravely acknowledging, “I really don’t feel good.” It’s a heartbreaking reality that needs to change.’

This isn’t the first time Daisy has spoken out about her health battles. 

Daisy discussed the impact that her career advancement had on her wellbeing, following her rise to prominence as a leading actress in the Star Wars series.

The British actress made her big screen debut in 2015 as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

As a devoted admirer, I must share an update about the beloved star. She’s recently disclosed that taking on the lead role in a high-profile movie production was not without its challenges. The pressure and stress she experienced during this time resulted in a condition known as ‘leaky gut’. This experience serves as a reminder that even stars, who we often idealize, also face their own battles behind the scenes.

During an interview with The Times, the actress opened up about her past struggles and revealed that intense anxiety was the cause of her stomach ulcers.

Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role
Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with Graves' disease after mistakenly blaming her symptoms on a 'really stressful' film role

In my fervor, I shared, “At the heart of it all was an issue with a leaky gut,” and then confessed, “I’ve been utterly drained, completely exhausted, from the demands of filming.”

I hadn’t traveled extensively or participated in media interviews before, and my body responds strongly to stress. As a result, the physical sensations in my stomach were expressing an emotional response to the constant traveling worldwide and people greeting me on the street. This left me feeling puzzled and anxious.

As an ardent admirer, I’ll confess – even the stellar actress herself admitted to harboring doubts about being the perfect fit for the coveted role. It seems that it took quite some time before she could muster the unwavering confidence she exudes on screen today.

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2024-08-06 18:33

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