Graves' disease

Daisy Ridley’s Diagnosis: The ‘Star Wars’ Struggle We Didn’t See!

Daisy Ridley opens up about her surprising Graves' disease diagnosis – find out how she turned confusion into empowerment!

In a candid interview with Women’s Health, the Star Wars favorite Daisy Ridley shared her unexpected health battle: Graves' disease. This autoimmune disorder, often mistaken for simple fatigue, left Ridley feeling like she was simply ‘annoyed at the world’. Little did she know that her symptoms – including rapid heart rate, weight loss, and shaky hands – were serious signals from her body, one she initially brushed off as just being overworked post-filming her latest thriller, Magpie.

The diagnosis of Graves’ disease threw Ridley into a whirlwind of emotions, much like her character Rey in the Star Wars franchise! It turns out that this condition affects the thyroid, which regulates a multitude of bodily functions, leading to symptoms that can feel like a caffeine-induced buzz. As Ridley describes, it’s akin to being “tired but wired,” capturing a sensation many of us can relate to after too many late nights or too much stress.

However, instead of letting the diagnosis dim her star, Ridley has chosen to embrace it and share her story with her fans. With her characteristic humor and relatability, she hopes to spread awareness about the autoimmune disorder that can often fly under the radar. Ridley's journey serves as a reminder that everyone is fighting their own battles – even those of us who seem to shine the brightest in Hollywood.

But there's more to Graves' disease than meets the eye! Fun fact: While typically affecting women, Graves' can impact anyone – including the occasional male star casting a shadow across the galaxy! Also interesting, the condition is named after Irish physician Robert Graves, who first described it in 1835. Talk about a diagnosis with a backstory! Ridley’s openness is paving the way for more conversations around autoimmune diseases and the importance of listening to our bodies when they send distress signals.