The Young and the Restless star opens up about eating disorder

Actress and singer/songwriter Cait Fairbanks has encouraged her fans to be kind to themselves in a revealing Instagram post about her own body image struggles.

The Young and the Restless star admitted the pressure to fit casting briefs led to behaviour like restrictive eating and excessive exercise.

"Growing up auditioning, I always felt I had to fit into a category and I never quite fit in... I took my pain and anger out on my body. I'd starve myself (a few hundred calories day) then binge, then make myself vomit," she posted.

"I started working out, then that became another obsession, hours in the gym every day, twice a day. I wasn't seeing any changes I wanted. I was so hard on myself."

The 26-year-old — who plays Tessa on Y&R — added that she has now turned her life around.

"I've reached this point in my life where I just want to stop hurting myself," she wrote. "I've been working out every day, but listening to my body. I've been eating well and drinking water, cut drinking, staying in when I need, forgiving myself."

The two-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee finished the candid post by urging people to look after themselves.

"I'm not sure who needs to hear this, maybe no one, but I hope that you can be patient and kind to yourself. I'm not very good at it... but I'm trying and I'll always keep trying."

If you, or someone you know needs support relating to eating disorders, please call The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673. In an emergency, call 000.