Supermodel Erin O'Connor reveals she was diagnosed with PTSD after 'being subjected to daily opinions on her body for years'

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Erin O'Connor has revealed she was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the criticism she faced over her slender figure.

The 43-year-old supermodel, from West Midlands, spoke of the devastating impact people's opinions of her size had on her mental health at the height of her modelling career in the 90s.

As reported by the Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare column, she said: 'I did a lot of crying and soul‑searching because I was publicly used as a means of getting news and shocking headlines.'  

She said: 'After years of being subjected to daily opinions on my body, it was quite traumatic. I definitely suffered. 

Erin O'Connor, 43, from West Midlands,  has revealed she was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the criticism she faced over her slender figure in the 90s (pictured in 1999) 

'I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress after holding a very public, politicised space.' 

The mother-of-two, who is six foot tall, had previously spoken about feeling 'betrayed' by her body. 

She shared: 'It was when I outgrew my dad – at the age of 15 – that it became testing for me.

'I don't think I was different to anyone else as a teenager, in that I thought it was important to fit in.'

The 43-year-old supermodel spoke of the devastating impact people's opinions of her size had on her mental health at the height of her modelling career (pictured in 2016) 

She said that after 'years of being subjected to daily opinions about her body' she felt 'traumatised' (pictured in 1998) 

The West Midlands native was first spotted by a talent scout while on a school trip to the Birmingham Clothes Show. 

Erin - who has four-year-old Bertie and Eddie, two, with partner Stephen Gibson - also spoke about the importance of self-acceptance.

She added: 'This debate is to do with self-esteem.

'The idea of not feeling accepted is something scary. It really doesn't matter what age, size or shape you are.' 

In 2019, Erin was one of hundreds of models who called out Victoria's Secret for sexual harassment and abuse in an open letter to the lingerie brand's CEO. 

The open letter penned directly to Victoria's Secret CEO John Mehas was published by the Model Alliance and co-signed by Time's Up, with more than 100 models also signing their names to express concern about allegations against the brand. 

'We are writing today to express our concern for the safety and wellbeing of the models and young women who aspire to model for Victoria’s Secret,' the letter read.

The letter continued: 'In the past few weeks, we have heard numerous allegations of sexual assault, alleged rape, and sex trafficking of models and aspiring models. While these allegations may not have been aimed at Victoria's Secret directly, it is clear that your company has a crucial role to play in remedying the situation.' 

Some of the signatures came from major players in the modeling industry — such as former Angel Doutzen Kroes, Christy Turlington and Iskra Lawrence. 

Also Caitriona Balfe, who walked in the 2002 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and Karen Elson, who walked in the 2001 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, signed the letter against the brand they formerly worked.  

Other prominent names listed include Carolyn Murphy, Charli Howard, Edie Campbell, Emme, Gemma Ward, MIlla Jovovich and Robyn Lawley.

Enough is enough: The Model Alliance penned an open letter to Victoria's Secret (picture from its annual fashion show in 2018) CEO John Mehas to call out sexual harassment and abuse