Love Actually star's "crippling" health condition
<p>Martine McCutcheon has opened up about her struggle with the "crippling" symptoms of perimenopause. </p>
<p>The actress, who shot to stardom for her role as Natalie in <em>Love Actually</em>, has shared a candid post about the issue affecting many women, and how the anxiety of perimenopause made her feel like she was losing her mind. </p>
<p>"Perimenopause symptoms… Such fun!" she wrote on Instagram.</p>
<p>"I have the hot flushes, the insomnia, the brain fog and fatigue … The list goes on doesn't it?!"</p>
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<p>The actress went on to explain how her symptoms were exacerbated by her previous struggles with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as ME/CFS, which Martine has struggled with since her 20s. </p>
<p>Sharing her experience with perimenopause, McCutcheon said she wanted to raise awareness of the "crippling anxiety" which is a common symptom many women experience.</p>
<p>"[It's a] kind of irrational anxiety that makes no sense whatsoever! You feel like you've lost your own damn mind!" she wrote.</p>
<p>"Maybe it's just me, but I don't seem to hear about this side of it as much. I wanted to share this, just in case any of you out there feel the same and feel scared or worried – You aren't alone!" she added.</p>
<p>McCutcheon revealed she went through "a phase of not even feeling confident enough to drive" which was very unlike her, but is now feeling better.</p>
<p>Plenty of her followers have reached out in support of her honest post. </p>
<p>Actress Selma Blair was one of the first to comment, writing, "I had a tough one. A tough menopause for three years. Early. From chemo. And the fog was very really tough. Anything goes. It's real and I'm sorry to anyone feeling alone and cranky and dizzy or whatever the case."</p>
<p>Another grateful fan wrote, "Sending you all the strength. It's a crazy rollercoaster and thank you for sharing your experiences because it will help so many."</p>
<p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>
