Shailene Woodley, 32, recently discussed a significant health challenge she faced in her early 20s while filming “Divergent.” The actress revealed that her condition worsened to the point where she struggled to walk, eat, or hear properly.
During an appearance on the “SHE MD” podcast, Woodley shared, “I was losing my hearing. I couldn’t walk for longer than five minutes without needing to lie down for hours. Everything I ate hurt my stomach.” She described this period as a confusing time filled with various diagnoses and differing opinions from doctors.
Woodley, who has a holistic background and studied herbalism, sought help from both medical professionals and alternative healers. “It was a long journey of healing,” she said. This experience led her to confront mental health issues, including body dysmorphia and confusion about her identity.
Fortunately, Woodley reported that her physical ailments have since resolved, and she feels “very healthy” now. She credited her healing journey with helping her become more introspective.
“My health journey involved acknowledging real traumas and PTSD I had experienced,” Woodley explained. She noted that these experiences affected her physically and emotionally, leading to confusion about her health despite her active lifestyle.
Doctors had suggested several potential diagnoses, including endometriosis. Frustrated with the mixed messages, Woodley decided to take control of her health. She educated herself on various subjects and approached her healing from a holistic perspective.
Now, Woodley no longer requires thyroid medication and feels her hormones are balanced. She emphasized the importance of addressing her nervous system, which was previously in a constant state of fight or flight. “Once I focused on achieving a calm state, everything began to change for me,” she stated.
Reflecting on her past, Woodley acknowledged her tendency to confront challenges without prioritizing her well-being. “In the past, I would run towards obstacles without awareness,” she noted.
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