Jameela Jamil explains battle with condition which leaves her with 'elastic skin'
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: @jameelajamil/TikTok
**Warning: Discussion of health condition EDS, mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.**
Fans are flooding to social media in support of Jameela Jamil after she opened up about having Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
She explains her condition here:
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The She-Hulk: Attorney at Law star is well recognised for her strong social media presence, using her platforms to speak out about mental health and raise awareness of important social issues.
In her latest post to TikTok on 27 December - which was also later shared to Instagram - the 36-year-old actor and presenter opened up about her diagnosis with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome at the age of nine.
Jamil has since received an influx in support for raising awareness of the lesser known condition and encouraging others to go to the doctor if they suspect they may have it too.
In the post, Jamil shows her followers how much she can stretch the skin on her face, noting she isn't using an app or filter.
She continues: "Look at how elastic that is. The reason it's so elastic is because I have something called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). I have hEDS three - and the 'H' is because I'm so hypermobile."
Jamil then showed followers how the condition effects her joints - saying 'nothing bends the right way'.
Despite noting people like to 'make fun of [her] over her health,' Jamil explained she wants to speak about her condition because of just how 'serious' it is and how it impacts 'every single part of your body and even impacts your mind'.
Jamil warned it's 'very dangerous' to not know you have EDS.
As per the NHS website, EDS 'are a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue'.
EDS is the 'most common type' and people with the condition may experience; "joint hypermobility, loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily, joint pain and clicking joints, extreme tiredness (fatigue), skin that bruises easily, digestive problems, such as heartburn and constipation, dizziness and an increased heart rate after standing up, problems with internal organs, such as mitral valve problems or organ prolapse and problems with bladder control."
Jamil captioned the video: "NB geneticists are also good for diagnosing EDS. I saw a rheumatologist because I have hEDS which affects my joints. Good luck finding a diagnosis. Hold strong. Love you.
"Ps. Sorry I don't talk about this more often. The internet made fun of me over my health problems and it made me suicidal for a while. But they are just a bunch of ignorant a**eholes who haven't a hundredth of our strength, they can't imagine surviving what we survive, so they choose to gaslight us about it all instead.
"I'm done not talking to the people who MATTER about this hugely important subject because a bunch of people lucky to have good health, have no souls. Let's raise awareness on this subject together, and save some motherf**king lives!"
And fans of the actor have since flooded to her post in support.
One said: "I remember when ppl were trying to say u had munchausens props to u for raising awareness, it’s so sad how ppl act towards invisible illness."
"Thank you for using your platform to do this I have EDS !!!!!!" Another wrote.
A third added: "Thank you for sharing this. I would imagine it affects the roles you can take as an actor as well."
A final resolved: "Thank you so much for giving us a voice!"
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123