As "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" returns for its fifth season on Hulu, several cast members are sharing candid details about their health journeys. The show's stars have openly discussed a range of medical and mental health issues, from chronic autoimmune conditions to eating disorders and prenatal depression.
Mikayla Matthews, 26, has been diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), an autoimmune condition triggered by mold, fungi, or other toxins. Matthews, who initially believed her symptoms were a flare-up of chronic eczema, experienced debilitating pain and exhaustion after getting breast implants removed. She believes mold exposure significantly impacted her body, affecting her nerves, skin, hair, brain, gut, liver, and hormones. "Nobody is ever going to understand the impact [of] chronic illness and skin condition[s] and the way that it has completely, completely stripped me of so much happiness, stripped me of so much time with my family, with my kids, that I’m never gonna get back," Matthews stated.
Layla Taylor, 25, is in recovery for anorexia, a battle she believed she had left behind in high school. Taylor revealed on the show that she weighed only 99 pounds and found GLP-1 weight loss medication to be "addictive." She described constant exhaustion and physical pain due to not eating, admitting, "I don’t think I’ll ever be small enough in my head." She has since stopped the medication and is undergoing treatment, expressing a commitment to choosing self-love over self-criticism for herself and her two sons.
Jennifer Affleck, 27, has spoken about her experience with prenatal depression, which returned during her fourth pregnancy. She described periods of intensely dark thoughts that frightened her, compounded by moving to a new state and caring for her children. Affleck sought help through therapy, prayer, journaling, and difficult conversations, and also attended a 11-day wellness retreat. "This journey taught me that it’s okay to not be OK and, more importantly, that it’s okay to ask for help," she wrote on Instagram.
Demi Engemann, 32, discussed her struggles with conceiving a child with her husband, suspecting endometriosis played a role. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Engemann also manages PMOS, a condition affecting fertility, acne, hair thinning, and hormonal imbalances, and OCD, a mental health disorder characterized by distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
Jessi Draper, 34, underwent a partial thyroid removal after viewers noticed what appeared to be an enlarged thyroid. Doctors determined there were multiple nodules, and the surgery was recommended to rule out cancer. The thyroid sample was ultimately determined to be non-cancerous. "Life is so short and it’s so precious, and what’s not important is us all yelling at each other as a group of friends," Draper reflected.
Taylor Frankie Paul, 32, has been open about her mental health, sharing a therapist’s diagnosis of major PTSD, trauma, stress, anxiety, social anxiety, ADHD, and a possible diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She has stated these diagnoses do not excuse her past behavior but offer an understanding of her reactions. Paul has taken Zoloft for depression and anxiety and has explored EMDR therapy. Earlier this year, she voluntarily entered a rehab facility for a "reset" of her mental health.
Miranda Hope, 28, revealed she has Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog. "I am a firm believer in there being a direct correlation between your health and your emotions and your trauma, especially when it comes to autoimmune diseases and autoimmune diseases in women," Hope said.
Whitney Leavitt, 33, has hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, causing side effects like weight gain and fatigue. This condition impacted her efforts to lose weight after giving birth.
Mayci Neeley, 31, experienced severe depression after her former boyfriend died in a car accident while she was 14 weeks pregnant. She described the period as a "gray, depressive blur" where even simple tasks felt impossible and she contemplated death.