Jacqueline Jossa opens up on difficult health battle she has been treated for since age 17

**Jacqueline Jossa returned back to EastEnders as Lauren Branning (Picture: BBC)**

Jacqueline Jossa, an actress on EastEnders, spoke candidly about her 14-year struggle with anxiety.

The actress, 31, who returned to her role as Lauren Branning this year, has commended treatment for assisting her in overcoming difficult circumstances in her life.

“I’ve had it since I was 17,” the woman said. I’ve always been pretty open to it and it’s always been a part of my life because you want someone to speak to. I just spend time in it when necessary.

“Sometimes I’ll be in my bath and think, ‘Isn’t it crazy that I’m in a bath, in a bathroom, in a house, on a street, in a town, in a city, in a country, with water surrounding me then I’m on a planet and then I’m in a galaxy,” she said, opening up to The Sun about her anxieties.

And I realize that there is so much more out there and that I am only a dot on this earth, and it always makes me feel inferior. I just believe to myself, “This too shall pass; everything will work out.”

After the death of her sister Abi, Lauren first moved out of the Square with Louie in 2018 to establish a new life with her on-again, off-again partner Peter Beale (Thomas Law) in New Zealand.

**‘It’s always been part of my life.’ (Picture: BBC)**

**Lauren agrees to stay longer and let Peter see Louie (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)**

Lauren visited us earlier this year after learning that Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was still alive and was living in France with Peter and his father Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). Lauren did return for her grandmother Dot Cotton’s burial back in December 2022.

After confronting Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Lauren is undecided about going to Exeter until Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) shows up to argue Peter’s case. Lauren pauses to consider what he’s said, and she decides to remain and allow Peter to see Louie.

Recently, viewers learned that Lauren’s incarceration was entirely due to her cousin Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine), who had first planted the narcotics on her.