Sophie Habboo addresses absence from her podcast and social media as she says she went to seek professional help for her ‘debilitating anxiety’ after finding it ‘hard to be herself’

Sophie Habboo has spoken out about her crippling anxiety after taking time to care for herself.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 29, who is married to series co-star Jamie Laing, 34, is not pictured with her husband and has not appeared on their podcast Newlyweds for weeks.

On Monday, she explained in her Instagram Stories why she had stayed out of the spotlight for a while, admitting that she was finding it increasingly difficult to be herself.

She explained, “I wanted to discuss something because I know a lot of you have been asking where I’ve been, and sending a lot of kind messages, and I just wanted to thank you for that.

“But also to answer them… the truth is I’ve been struggling with anxiety for years, but in the last year it’s become quite debilitating. And as much as I love showing you my life, doing the podcasts with my husband and best friend, it became harder and harder to be that person because I just wasn’t feeling like myself.

Time out: The former Made In Chelsea star who is married to Jamie Laing, 34, is not pictured with her husband and has not appeared on their podcast Newlyweds for weeks

‘The more I lived in that space without talking about it and putting a Band-Aid on it, the worse I felt.

‘So I decided to leave to recover, to be in a place where I could get professional help so that I could come back to myself, understand what was going on and what was making me feel this way, and that I could could change.

‘I’m back now and I wanted to share this with you because not only am I so grateful that I was able to go get help, but I’m also so grateful that I was able to come back to a place where I feel like I used to .

“I’ve learned a lot and I know this is something that will be a part of my life forever, but I now have the tools to manage it and I want to be able to be honest with you guys because I felt like I was lying to you by not telling you and only showing you one side of me on social media etc.

‘But really, I am so grateful to all of you, you have sent me such kind, supportive messages and I am so happy to be back and finally living as a newlywed!!

“But most importantly, I know firsthand how scary it is to admit to yourself, let alone others, that you’re struggling mentally, and I just wanted to come here to say that it’s okay .

“It’s okay to say it and ask for help and hopefully I can help some of you do that.

“And keep talking about mental health here so no one has to feel ashamed, alone or afraid.”

Statement: On Monday, she took to her Instagram Stories to explain why she took some time out of the spotlight

It comes after Sophie’s husband Jamie arrived solo at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in London earlier this month.

Jamie shoved his hands in his pockets as he pulled on a black suit and a patterned khaki shirt.

The star paired his look with smart black suit shoes and appeared cheerful as he flashed a wide grin for the cameras.

Earlier this month, Sophie and her new husband Jamie Laing looked loved up as they got ready for her sister Georgia’s wedding.

The podcaster put her arm around Jamie, 34, as they arrived at the exotic wedding venue with friends in a series of social media snaps.

Sophie showed off her enviable figure in a pink bikini top and white shorts as she stood behind her boyfriend.

To get into the holiday spirit, she donned a straw beach hat and covered her face with black sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Jamie cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt and purple swim trunks.

Looks good! Jamie Laing put in a polished performance as he arrived solo at the National Television Awards at the O2 in London earlier this month

Missing: The former Made In Chelsea star appeared solo, without his wife Sophie on his arm

Sophie shared the photos on her Instagram Stories, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the celebrations as Georgia and a group of girls enjoyed the evening together.

Sophie also shared a photo of two of Georgia’s friends walking through the greenery and writing ‘Bridesmaids on a mission’.

On Monday, she took to her Instagram Stories to explain why she had been staying out of the spotlight for a while.

Newlyweds Sophie and Jamie said ‘I do’ at Chelsea’s registry office in April and later tied the knot for a second time in a grand ceremony in Spain at the end of May.