Valerie Bertinelli is recovering from being “mercilessly mocked” for her weight in a previous relationship.

The actress told her admirers that she pulled on a pair of old jeans on Sunday and felt triggered.

In a TikTok video, the actor and Food Network celebrity discussed her experience.

“I’m giggling because I had a small hidden bruise that was activated today. You can probably hear them because my pants are rubbing together and it makes this particular sound,” she said.

She wasn’t always able to make fun of her choice of attire, but now she could.

“I stopped wearing them because I was…mercilessly mocked, you know, ‘I’m too lazy to do anything about it. They wouldn’t rub together if you…’” she trailed off.

She explained how “hidden bruises” are what “emotional, verbal, mental abuse do to you.”

“People can’t see [them] but we got to deal with [them] everyday when they’re activated,” she said. “I’m so grateful the work that I’m doing on healing, is working.”

Although Bertinelli stated that she was reluctant to write such an article for fear that some could encourage her to end the relationship, she had the following message for those who might think negatively of her:

“This is called moving on. This is called healing. And to all of you that can identify with this and feel seen, welcome. I’m just another part of your tribe.”

Although the Hot in Cleveland star didn’t specifically mention a former partner, her comments come just a few days after she talked about getting over her divorce.

“It’s so painful, but there’s a release that happens that’s really helpful,” she shared on Instagram. “I believe that a lot of emotional pain is stored in the body, and I’m doing my best to heal from it in every way — my therapy, my journaling, my meditation, rolfing.”

Bertinelli requested a legal separation from her ex-husband Tom Vitale in January 2022, and six months later she filed for divorce. She declared in November 2022 that the day she officially divorced Vitale was the “second best day of my life” as she rejoiced.

“I am over it. I’m over the narcissist. I’m long over the narcissist.”

The decision to leave an abusive relationship can be very difficult. I applaud Valerie for choosing to go and begin her recovery process. It’s not easy.