health
March 5, 2026
‘The steroids made me feel alone’: Southampton’s Amy Goddard on being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy
Centre-back opens up on the ‘petrifying’ time in 2021 when the left side of her face suddenly dropped as she wants to help others who are affected
TL;DR
- Amy Goddard was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in February 2021, experiencing sudden facial paralysis.
- The illness, coupled with side effects from steroid medication, caused severe mental health issues including insomnia and paranoia.
- Goddard took a break from football to recover, dropping to a lower league to rebuild confidence.
- She is now playing for Southampton and is undergoing therapy to address the mental health impact of the condition.
- Goddard is raising awareness for Bell's palsy during Facial Palsy Awareness Week, highlighting both the physical and mental effects.
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