Louise Thompson gave an open and emotional update on her health, admitting she was ‘triggered’ by’something horrible’ last weekend as she continues to fight PTSD and post-natal anxiety, among other challenges.
After delivering baby Leo-Hunter into the world with fiancé Ryan Libbey in November 2021, the former Made in Chelsea star, 32, endured many terrible occurrences that nearly killed her.
Since then, she has openly shared her hardships on social media, including concerns that’she was going to die’ after a recent health emergency that saw her brought to the hospital in February after haemorrhaging at home.
On Saturday, she resorted to Instagram to post a compilation of video from the preceding several months, both joyful and terrible, as she reflected on how she was learning to adapt.
There were joyous images of her with baby Leo, as well as heartbreaking hospital shots, gym selfies with Ryan, and an overall insight into her life since becoming a mother.
‘Does anyone else feel like they’re in season 5 of their life and the writers are making ridiculous s**t happen to keep the script interesting?’ she began in the caption.
‘I know Instagram is merely a snapshot of everyone’s life, but man my world has been mad. It’s just felt so messy. Medical issues have compounded every. single. month. and I’ve only just started processing the early stuff.
‘Now that I’m going through the timeline with my trauma therapist things seem to be getting a bit harder again. Urgh. She did say that things might get a bit harder before they get better, but I didn’t think that would actually apply to me. I never thought any of these problems would apply to me.’
Getting honest about her thoughts and hospital experiences, she added: ‘In fact I even found looking over this reel a bit triggering. How can that be? It seems so silly. It’s hard to find the patience.
‘To be honest if I were to create a REAL reel of the last 16 months it would be at least an hour long… there would be hospital appointments every single week, 50+ blood tests and it would be far too painful to make/watch.
‘I’m just dipping my toe in to find some positive nuggets to hold close to my heart at this stage.’
‘Re: therapy – it’s the same, we’re really just looking at an overview… starting to scratch the surface and focus on dates of significant events (there seem to be too many) and I’m finding it hard not to deep dive.’
She continued: ‘In terms of health… Gynaecology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, psychiatry, psychotherapy and now haematology appointments, what next? That is six different departments that I’m working with every month. It’s hard to step away from health with all this going on.
‘The mad things is that I didn’t have any issues before all of this. Yes I suffered with mild inflammatory bowel disease but I didn’t need to medicate for 4 years and I’d never even got as far as steroids. Isn’t it crazy how your life can change overnight?
‘I mean I’m only just realising how nuts it is that last July I was told it might be better to have my colon removed. One day I’m on holiday, the next day I’m in A&E with that news. Gosh we so take our health for granted.
‘So here lies a short snapshot, and a reminder for ME that things HAVE got better, and for YOU, that things CAN get better too. (I had to change that from a WILL to a CAN because life can be uncertain).’
Rallying her follower by collecting her musings into a supportive message, she wrote: ‘So I guess the overriding main message is, keep going!!! Keep plodding on. Good moments will outshine the bad. You will learn to cope. And ask for help! ❤️.’
Discussing working with a life coach and therapist, Louise continued: ‘When I started working with my life coach again (I worked with her during the first lockdown and then picked up with her again mid way through last year) she mentioned that she felt that I had lived many lives. That I was an old soul. I am quite spiritual, so I felt that.
‘I believe that I am currently living the most challenging chapter of my life – It’s like I’ve logged onto the hard level… but hopefully, like the seasons, this level will pass. Everything always passes.
‘These thoughts and feelings seem to be taking a damn long time to process… I’m actually very bored by how much time they are taking time to shift… but eventually they will diminish into something totally insignificant… like that stick diagram with the little man and the big circles that get smaller over the years. I’ll reference it on my stories.’
Louise then reflected on the strides she had made since becoming a mom.
‘In fact some days I have are totally 100% normal. Like yesterday… and the day before. It’s only when I reflect back (like I do in therapy) that I realise that this is a HUGE improvement.
‘Most moments I am totally normal. Last year I was not. It’s gone from 80% torture + 20% ok, to 90% normal + 10% rough. I’m learning how to take the rough with the smooth but some days I just want to feel sorry for myself.’
The fitness celebrity then spoke briefly about her problems, explaining that she had just experienced ‘something horrible’ that she felt ‘triggered’ her, about which she will give more information in the future.
‘Now that I’m feeling good more often, the bad can feel quite amplified. The flashbacks cause ruminating thoughts and make me on high alert for days afterwards and it can feel like quite a negative cycle.
‘Plus something bad happened to me last weekend which I think triggered me. I’ll go into it later.
‘I just wish it was good all the time. My goal is to have a full month with no weird brain stuff happening. No drama. No flashbacks. No agitation.’
She concluded: ‘When my life coach (and actually my therapist) agreed that I was going through the trenches atm [sic] I have to admit I felt seen. It felt reassuring. It felt like someone cared. That was nice. I am trying to twist things in my head so.’
Louise acknowledged in her Story that she had been ‘scared to post the video for too long’ after putting her reel to her grid.
‘It makes me sad,’ she added. ‘It also shows me looking ill and vulnerable. And I’m worried people will think I’m being too repetitive, but I can’t help it.’
She continued: ‘Sharing is healing for me. P.S. I really want to let go of my past.’
Louise’s fans raced to her comments to express their support for the media personality’s decision to speak up about her challenges once more.
‘Thanks for sharing it all Louise. We’re with you,’ replied one.
Another added: ‘I see a woman who is the definition of strong and inspiring! This reel makes me cry because you are amazing even though I don’t know you personally I’m super proud of you Louise.’
Need support for your mental health?
You can contact mental health charity Mind on 0300 123 3393 or text them on 86463.
Mind can also be reached by email at info@mind.org.uk.
Source My Celebrity Life.