Daisy Ridley reveals she's been diagnosed with autoimmune disease that causes stress and exhaustion

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Daisy Ridley believed that her hectic schedule was the source of her stress and exhaustion, however, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition later.

The 'Star Wars' actress only recently felt comfortable disclosing that she has Graves' disease, an overactive thyroid illness that primarily affects women and those over 30.

Daisy Ridley was earlier diagnosed with endometriosis

Daisy Ridley, 32, had previously been diagnosed with endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, and polycystic ovaries, more commonly referred to as a hormonal imbalance that causes problems with menstrual cycles.

"It’s the first time I’ve shared that [it was Graves’]," she told Women's Health about her September 2023 diagnosis. Ridley's general practitioner recommended that she see an endocrinologist after she complained of fatigue and hot flashes, two symptoms that are common to the illness.

What is Graves' disease?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Thyroid hormones influence almost every bodily organ, including the heartbeat, by regulating how our body uses energy.

Daisy Ridley was 'annoyed at the world'

Daisy Ridley felt the symptoms were because of 'Magpie', a psychological thriller in which she portrayed Anette. "I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that's why I feel poorly,'" Ridley said. Additional symptoms included racing heart, weight loss and hand tremors.

Her doctor mentioned that the feeling of Graves' is often referred to as "tired but wired", something the star could easily relate to.

It was funny, I was like, "Oh, I just thought I was annoyed at the world,' but [it] turns out everything is functioning so quickly you can't chill out," she said, according to Fox News. 

Daisy Ridley is now on a gluten free diet

Daisy Ridley's condition prompted her to change her lifestyle and get healthier physically. In addition to starting her daily pharmaceutical regimen, Ridley, who was already a committed vegan, started eating a gluten-free diet.

"I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better," Ridley said. It didn't take long for her to feel the small changes in her life take shape. 

"I didn't realize how bad I felt before," she said. "Then I looked back and thought, ‘How did I do that?’"

Daisy Ridley's diagnosis also gave her a renewed sense of awareness

The 'Young Woman and the Sea' actress' diagnosis also served as a reminder to take care of her body, mind, and spirit, which helped her become more mindful. Along with always carrying crystals, she started incorporating massages, acupuncture, cryotherapy, and infrared saunas into her routine.

"I’ve always been health conscious, and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious," Ridley said. "I do a fair amount of the holistic stuff, but I also understand that it is a privilege to be able to do those things." She's still learning how to properly take care of herself.

"We all read the stats about women being undiagnosed or underdiagnosed and sort of coming to terms with saying, ‘I really actually don’t feel good,’ and not going, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ It’s just normalized to not feel good," she said.

"In the grand scheme of things, it’s much less severe than what a lot of people go through. Even if you can deal with it, you shouldn’t have to. If there’s a problem, you shouldn’t have to just [suffer through it]."