Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner says online trolls made her afraid to leave the house

'I can't do this. I can't go outside'

Sophie Turner has revealed that criticism from social media trolls made her feel so “self-conscious” she wouldn’t leave the house.

The British actor, who is best-known for playing Sansa Stark in the HBO fantasy show Game of Thrones, said negative comments online impacted her mental health.

Speaking about the criticism to US talk show host Dr Phil on his podcast, Phil in the Blanks, Turner said: “I would just believe it. I would say, 'Yeah, I am spotty. I am fat. I am a bad actress'.

“I would just believe it. I would get (the costume department) to tighten my corset a lot.

“I just got very, very self-conscious.”

The 23-year-old went on to explain that the criticism affected her so much she started hiding away from her friends and didn't want to leave the house.

“I had no motivation to do anything or go out,” she added.

“Even with my best friends, I wouldn't want to see them, I wouldn't want to go out and eat with them.

“I just would cry and cry and cry over just getting changed and putting on clothes and be like, 'I can't do this. I can't go outside. I have nothing that I want to do.”

Turner also revealed that while she didn’t think she suffered from depression when she was younger, she would often have suicidal thoughts.

“It's weird. I say I wasn't very depressed when I was younger, but I used to think about suicide a lot when I was younger. I don't know why though,” she explained.

“Maybe it's just a weird fascination I used to have, but yeah, I used to think about it. I don't think I ever would have gone through with it. I don't know.”

In March 2019, Turner admitted to still experiencing mental health issues but said that therapy and medication have made her feel “so much better”.

“Definitely. Depression for sure, anxiety, all those things," she said an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

“I still experience it, but I had therapy, I'm on medication, and I feel so much better. The fact that I spoke to someone changed my life.”

For confidential support with mental health or suicidal feelings, you can contact The Samaritans on their free, 24-hour phone support by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.