The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins has opened up about her recent battle with her mental health amid her mother’s health struggles, saying she’s ‘broken’
Gemma Collins has candidly revealed her recent mental health struggles in a festive Instagram post, just weeks after her mum was hospitalised with pneumonia.
The 44-year-old TV star, who has been keeping her followers updated on her 70-year-old mother Joan’s recovery, confessed that beneath the glamour of the festive photo, she’s been feeling ‘broken inside’ for the past three weeks.
She shared with her followers: “SOS. Behind the glam of this picture the last three weeks I have been broken inside and so low I can’t tell you Remember it’s who’s round the table and not what gifts you get. Normally I’m 100 million miles ahead, upbeat and organised but with mum being in hospital I’ve not been able to cope recently, everything is too much, even getting dressed daily mum will be home soon and I will be happy again I’m sure.”
She continued: “Sadly I was let down by my Christmas install company if anyone has a slot and is happy for us to film for Sky TV please let me know, Is anyone else struggling this year? Are you feeling it? Any tips for feeling low? I’ve never had this before x It’s funny how the gram tells a thousand lies !!!”
Gemma’s heartfelt post follows a health update she shared about her mother, Joan, on Thursday. The TOWIE legend announced that Joan is ‘slowly on the mend’ as she posted a photo of her smiling mother in her hospital bed surrounded by family.
She penned: “Seeing mummy slowly on the mend today finally is a miracle from above and the reality star expressed her gratitude to the ‘incredible doctors and physios at Broomfield hospital’, stating, ‘I can’t thank you enough.’
Pneumonia is a chest infection that inflames the tiny air sacs in the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid and making it harder to breathe. Just under two weeks ago, Gemma pleaded with fans to pray for her mum Joan, who she revealed was seriously ill with pneumonia.
Gemma shared a heart-wrenching post alongside a photo, writing: “This week has been the toughest week of my life I didn’t know if I was coming or going and still don’t my mum is really unwell and I just want to thank the NHS doctors and nurses at BROOMFIELD HOSPITAL CHELMSFORD HOSPITAL FOR looking after mum so well.”
“Mum has phenomena and is really struggling please if you believe in prayer like me please say a prayer for mum to get well asap. Thank you to all my closest for being there for me and for everyone who has reached out to higher powers to help mum you know who you are.”
She continued: “Also all the friends and family who have visited and keep bringing the love for mum, mum and me always have loved Madonna and her music so it’s getting me through atm giving me a lift.”
Last year, Gemma faced the terrifying prospect of losing her mother when she was rushed to the hospital after she stopped breathing. Speaking to The Sun, she said: “I’ve had a lot of stress the last couple of weeks. My mum was suddenly taken into hospital, and I was told she could die. They would not resuscitate her if she went into cardiac arrest. So imagine that, you know, I’m in the hospital having been out for dinner the day before, and then the next day I’m like, ‘wow’, so that was a massive shock.”
Gemma disclosed that Joan had been rushed to hospital and was receiving treatment in intensive care. The reality star posted heartfelt photographs with her mum on social media, informing followers Joan is ‘really ill at the minute’.
In a video uploaded to Instagram, Gemma – who has previously been candid about her mother’s health battles – said: “My mum is really ill at the minute, she’s in intensive care. It’s been a hell of a time, and you know, I’m really happy, and well, not that happy, because my mum’s in intensive care, but she is on the mend, thank god.”
Gemma subsequently posted: “Last week I had the shock of my life when my mum stopped breathing. I called an ambulance and was told to prepare for the worst, and would I like to resuscitate her.”
She then provided reassurance to concerned fans that Joan is now ‘stable’ and will ‘hopefully’ recover soon.
