Former Love Island star Siannise Fudge has bravely opened up on her secret battle with depression which left her underweight and hospitalised.
The contestant from the 2020 edition of the hit reality series took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal her struggles to her followers.
She did so by sharing a snap of her which concerned fans eight months ago alongside another image of her looking healthier today.
Alongside the snaps she penned a lengthy caption to explain her secret distress and explained why she felt she had a "responsibility" to share the post.
Siannise, 27, told her 1.7 million followers she had been waiting for the right moment to speak up on the issue, explaining how she hadn't found the courage to make her struggles public until now.
She wrote: "I feel I have a responsibility to share this because somehow it might help one of you and that's all I want from this. To give anyone suffering the belief that you can overcome your obstacles in life.
"This time last year I was suffering with anxiety & depression behind closed doors. This resulted in me having insomnia, extreme mood swings & losing two stone in weight.
"I was insecure, lost all my confidence & I lacked love within myself. I couldn’t bare to look at myself in the mirror because I didn’t recognise myself both physically & mentally. I completely lost myself and I wasn’t sure who I was as a person anymore."
She continued to say how it was affecting all aspects of her life and said she received a lot of messages because of her weight which triggered her.
"I was lost, depressed and unhealthy, but somehow I developed the strength to work on myself," she added before saying she was eventually able to use negative comments to fuel her motivation to get better.
Among those sending her praise in the comments section were a number of fellow former Love Islanders, including Molly-Mae Hague, who wrote: "You should be so proud of yourself beautiful."
Kady McDermott also wrote: "Oh Siannise this breaks my heart to read, but I am so glad you’re coming out the other end, you’re literally glowing at the moment and look so so so amazing. Always here and sending so much love xxx"
And Gabby Allen sent a string of love heart emojis.
After sharing the post, she followed it up by posting an emotional video to her Instagram Stories thanking people for their response.
She promised followers who might be struggling that she is there for them and confirmed she plans to continue to be open and to complete regular Q&A sessions.
She revealed it's important to stand together to make a change, writing: "Protecting your peace is the most important," and reaffirming the "Be Kind" message.
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