Britney Spears candidly discussed her struggle with severe ‘nerve damage’ that sometimes impacts her ability to think, addressing her 42.2 million Instagram followers on Wednesday.

In a now-deleted Instagram post, the 42-year-old pop icon revealed that “there are a lot of people who don’t know what” her body “physically went through” during her 13-year conservatorship, which ended in November 2021.

“I’m not here to be a victim, I’m here to express that even though I did a book about my experiences, the trauma is still there and probably will always be,” she wrote.

The “Circus” singer continued, “It’s extremely deep and to my knowledge, all I can do is do the best I can and know it’s okay to be upset some days or not be okay and that’s something I don’t feel like the world has allowed me to do!!!!”

Spears, a mother-of-two, mentioned feeling bullied and unfairly judged at times but noted that she tries to “be awakened by prayer that connects her to” be forgiving. She then described the difficulty in forgiving her parents, Lynne and Jamie Spears, whom she blames for causing “serious nerve damage” to the right side of her body.

“I have to be the bigger person and forgive my own parents… but that’s extremely hard!!!” she concluded. “I will do my best to let it go and not let others down by my anger!!!”

Later that day, she returned to Instagram with a flirty video of herself in a white minidress with a peekaboo cutout and cowboy boots, filming in her living room.

In 2022, Spears first mentioned having nerve damage on the right side of her body, which she attributed to her time at a medical facility where she was placed against her will in 2019. She stated that although there was “no cure” for her pain, dancing helps alleviate some symptoms.

“It’s weird I don’t feel the nerve damage when I dance, maybe that’s my inner child’s mind letting go and surrendering. It’s trust, belief and God knows I’m not a professional but I am able to feel something in those moments,” she explained in 2022.

“Nerve damage is caused sometimes when you don’t get enough oxygen to your brain … your brain literally shuts down … blah blah blah old story … in that place I didn’t breathe when I was there … nerve damage causes parts of your body to go numb,” she wrote at the time.

Spears also revealed that she wakes up “like three times a week in bed with my hands completely numb” and feelings of “pins and needles” on the right side of her body.

“It shoots up to my neck and the part that hurts the worst is my temple on my head … it stings and it’s scary,” she detailed.

The reference to “that place” is believed to be the medical facility where she was held against her will in 2019, which she has criticized repeatedly.

Spears shared that her health issues have significantly improved in recent times. In addition to physical pain, she has been open about the serious mental trauma she endured during her conservatorship.

Earlier this week, sources told TMZ that Spears is “not taking her mental health medication” and is also drinking and using other drugs. She is reportedly allowing her boyfriend, Paul Soliz, who has a criminal record, to “run her household and her life,” with her mood swings often escalating into rages that can end in physical violence.

Paul has been charged with multiple misdemeanours and at least one felony, including possession of a firearm in December 2022 while employed by Spears. He was also seen at the San Fernando Superior Court in September 2023 for allegedly violating his probation.

Insiders expressed concern to the outlet about Spears’ mental health, fearing she is “in a tailspin” and may need to be placed under another conservatorship for her safety and that of others.

The site reported, “There are times we’re told it’s impossible to communicate with her because she can’t engage in rational conversation.”