You can come through PTSD, Louise - I did'

In an open letter to the Made in Chelsea star, mum-of-two Kirsty Ketley shares words of hope after her postnatal struggle

- Kirsty Ketley

Therapists say that part of the healing process is sharing. Well, that's exactly what Made in Chelsea's Louise Thompson has been doing, as the first-time mum continues to grapple with "catastrophic" post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-birth anxiety eight months after having her son Leo-Hunter with fiancé Ryan Libbey.

In a recent video post on social media, Louise described going to the hospital with ulcerative colitis, "a couple of days away from having part of my colon removed and diverted through my stomach".

Referring to her "crazy year" she explained how her "brain shut down as a result of nearly dying twice" during childbirth, and that at her lowest point she hoped for a plane to "crash into the house and obliterate us" to put an end to her mental anguish.

Louise, 32, who says she's had a "crisis team check on me every day for weeks" as she receives treatment for her anxiety disorder, is not alone.

PTSD is caused by traumatic events. Symptoms can include experiencing flashbacks, digestive issues and struggling to concentrate or sleep - more information is available at ptsduk.org.