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Actor Alizeh Shah has revealed that the relentless criticism she has faced has taken a toll on both her emotional and physical health, leading to a point where she not only withdrew from social media but distanced herself from those around her.

In a story shared to her Instagram page on Tuesday, Shah stated that she felt “broken, exhausted and overwhelmed” in ways she couldn’t explain.

After facing “constant criticism”, the Ehd-e-Wafa actor unfollowed everyone on Instagram and removed all her posts earlier this week, leaving two highlights behind, one stating that she was not on Snapchat and another about Gaza. She said, “I quit. This place is worse than hell.”

Shortly after, Shah said people began to spread rumours, and news channels contacted her parents asking if she was alive despite her Instagram bio stating that she was “not dead.”

“Imagine what that does to a family, to a mother’s heart. Please, understand how much this has hurt me and the people I love.”

Shah was unsure if she would ever return to Instagram or television shows because the pressure was too much, and the weight of it made her “physically sick.”

“All I ask is for some space. Please stop contacting my family. Please stop making up stories. Please just let me breathe.”

The actor has repeatedly faced criticism for her basic actions, including smoking a cigarette in her car, cutting her hair short, setting workplace boundaries and wearing a tank top.

Last month, Shah was embroiled in a public feud with fellow actor Zarnish Khan after she refused to accept Khan’s apology for comments she made three years ago. In an appearance on Showcase TV’s Voice Over Man, Khan, when asked, said Shah would win in a rudeness competition against everyone.

Shah posted a screenshot of her conversation with Khan, where the latter apologised for her actions. However, the Taqdeer actor replied, “It won’t fix the damage you did. I do not forgive you.”

Shah alleged that her mother called Khan on the day of the interview and asked what Shah had done to warrant such comments, and Khan replied that she would make a video detailing the truth. However, she later blocked her mother’s number, Shah claimed in an Instagram story.