Ruby Barker, best known for her portrayal of Marina Thompson in Netflix's 'Bridgerton', has taken to social media to speak candidly about her ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder.
Image: Instagram
Ruby Barker, best known for her portrayal of Marina Thompson in Netflix's Bridgerton, has taken to social media to speak candidly about her ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder, its treatment, and the unspoken toll it has taken on her body.
As World Bipolar Day approaches on March 30, Barker’s story serves as a crucial reminder of the silent struggles millions endure while living with chronic mental health conditions.
In a series of raw, unfiltered posts, she has opened a dialogue about mental illness, self-perception, and resilience, reminding us that strength doesn’t always look the way we expect.
“I’ve had treatment for my bipolar disorder, and it’s caused me to gain a hell of a lot of weight,” Barker shared in a recent TikTok video, her voice steady but tinged with vulnerability.
“I’m currently around 17 stone (approximately 110 kg). Girls, let me tell you, it’s really been getting me down.”
With her gym scale reading 112.5 kg (248 lbs) in full view of her audience, the actress called attention to one of the least-discussed aspects of mental health treatment: the side effects of medication.
For Barker, the experience of “medical weight gain” is not just physical but deeply psychological, compounding the mental hurdles of living with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a neurological condition characterised by extreme mood swings that shift between intense manic highs and profound depressive lows, significantly impacting daily life.
It presents in three primary forms: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia, each marked by varying levels of mania or hypomania and depression.
Bipolar disorder medications, including antipsychotics and mood stabilisers, can be lifesaving, but they often bring unintended consequences.
Weight gain, as Barker puts it, becomes the “physical aftermath” of survival. These medications are known to disrupt metabolism, increase appetite, and cause fluid retention, leading to rapid, often dramatic changes in body weight.
A 2019 study published in The Lancet Psychiatry confirms this, citing weight gain as one of the most frequently reported side effects of psychiatric medications.
For Barker, the journey has been anything but linear. “I used to be so in shape and so confident in my body,” she explained in the video, visibly struggling with the comparison to her slimmer, pre-treatment self.
While medications such as antipsychotics and mood stabilisers can be life-saving for many, they often come with a troubling price tag: “medical weight gain".
Image: Social media/Instagram
“Now, I can’t stop comparing myself to others and comparing myself to my past self.”
Her comments strike a raw nerve, as body image issues can exacerbate the very mental health conditions these treatments aim to alleviate.
She rejects the idea that her weight gain or hospital stay was a failure. Instead, she calls them her 'line in the sand', a necessary turning point in her fight for life.
Breaking the silence around medical weight gain
Barker’s story sheds light on an aspect of mental health few feel comfortable addressing in public.
She describes the irony of trying to heal mentally while battling a “whole new mental challenge” brought on by her body's changes. For many like Barker, the weight gain is inherently tied to their recovery an unwanted byproduct of prioritising mental stability.
Her openness is a rallying cry: “I’m doing what I can,” she says in the video.
“I’m trying to eat right, take care of myself, get to the gym, and walk. I’m trying to stay positive.”
Her efforts are layered with grit and exhaustion. She recounts how quitting vaping has already improved her cardio health, a milestone she says has made simple gym routines, like medicine ball slams, slightly easier. “I could barely do one set before. Now, I can do more sets since quitting,” she shares.
While speaking to her followers, she admits, “It’s tough. I feel dissatisfied with my workouts because I’m not able to work out for as long as I used to. But it’s okay; I showed up for myself, and that counts.”
Medicine ball slams, Barker's chosen workout, are not only cathartic but also scientifically proven to strengthen both body and mind.
According to fitness experts, this explosive, full-body exercise builds core strength, improves cardiovascular health, and serves as a therapeutic release.
“Today was my first day back at the gym since the hospital. I didn’t have much energy, but showing up for yourself counts.”
"Stop being so hard on yourself."
When Barker speaks about weight gain as an “unspoken cost” of recovery, she breaks the silence and extends a lifeline to those who might otherwise feel alone.
There is no sugarcoating in her world; she lives in the "aftermath". It’s a sentiment that hits home for the bipolar community: the bittersweet reality of choosing a stable mind over a familiar silhouette, and the quiet bravery required to accept both.
“Bipolar manic episodes can be a b***h, but we keep on fighting.”