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Melissa gets candid about health and motherhood (Picture: BBC) Former EastEnders actress Melissa Suffield has opened up about her latest health battle, telling fans she’s struggling with ‘constant fear and dread’ as she faces ongoing medical challenges. Former EastEnders star Melissa Suffield has sparked concern among fans after sharing that she’s been struggling with her mental health amid a series of ongoing physical health issues. The 31-year-old actress, who portrayed Lucy Beale on the long-running BBC soap between 2004 and 2010, took to her Instagram Stories to speak candidly about how she’s been feeling recently. Posting alongside a sweet photo of her five-year-old son River, Melissa wrote: ‘I’m not going to lie gang, my mental health isn’t great at the moment. ‘Just finding myself consumed with anxieties that I never used to have and a kind of constant fear and dread as a result. ‘Really need to shake it ideally because it’s starting to p**s me off. You know me, I’m always going to be honest with you, and that includes when things aren’t so rosy. ‘I’m fine, but also just very stressed and overwhelmed a lot of the time and it’s not like me.’ Despite her worries, the actress said she was trying to focus on the positives and find small moments of joy with her family. ‘But, took River to see Back To The Future today at the cinema on his inset day and that was lovely because I’ve always loved that film, and it was great sharing that with him, and I bought a really camp Christmas wreath for the door. ‘I also booked a really exciting thing for next year.’ (Picture:Instagram/@the.confidentmama) Melissa ended her post with a heartfelt message to her followers, asking them to share good news to help lift her spirits: ‘Tell me something nice that you’ve got going on at the moment please.’ Shortly after, she uploaded another update, this time smiling in a selfie as she thanked her fans for their kind words and uplifting responses. ‘Thanks so much for all your messages and telling me all the lovely things you’ve got going on in your lives. ‘I love being lifted up like that and I LOVE people celebrating their wins, big and small!’ Struggling with ongoing health conditions (Picture: Instagram/@the.confidentmama) Melissa’s emotional post comes less than a year after she revealed she had been diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and a vitamin B12 deficiency in December 2023. She previously shared that it took around 40 GP appointments, several medical tests, and more than five figures in costs before finally getting a diagnosis. The actress has spoken openly about how difficult it’s been managing the symptoms, which include nausea, reflux, constipation, and fatigue. Melissa also revealed she’s experienced hair loss and dry skin as a result of the condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, SIBO occurs ‘when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine, particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract.’ Symptoms can include loss of appetite, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and even unintentional weight loss or malnutrition. Melissa has been a voice for honesty and body confidence. https://www.instagram.com/p/C95bm5CI-2o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Since leaving EastEnders, Melissa has built a strong online following through her Instagram platform ‘The Confident Mama’, where she shares honest reflections on motherhood, mental health, and body positivity. The page began as a way to promote self-acceptance and real-life parenting, quickly attracting thousands of followers who appreciate her open and relatable posts. Her willingness to speak about the highs and lows of life, from health issues to personal challenges, has made her a positive voice for women navigating motherhood and self-image in the social media age. From Albert Square to motherhood (Picture: BBC) Melissa first joined EastEnders in 2004, taking on the role of Lucy Beale, daughter of Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Jane Beale (Laurie Brett). During her six years on the soap, Lucy became one of Walford’s most recognisable young characters, appearing in numerous dramatic storylines including family feuds, teenage rebellion, and business rivalries within the Beale household. Melissa departed the series in 2010, and the role of Lucy was later recast, with Hetti Bywater taking over until the character’s infamous murder storyline in 2014. Speaking to The Sun last year about her time on the show, Melissa reflected on her years in Albert Square, saying: ‘I don’t keep in touch with anyone from the show, but then again I’m not in touch with old school mates either. I’m a different person, one door shuts and another one opens.’ After leaving EastEnders, Melissa continued to act in theatre productions and pantomimes. It was during a run of Beauty and the Beast seven years ago that she met her now-husband, director Robert Brendan. The couple went on to welcome their son, River, in 2019. Despite facing ongoing health challenges, Melissa’s latest posts show that she’s determined to stay open and honest about her struggles, and to find moments of happiness wherever she can.
