Chloe Grace Moretz suffered body dysmorphia and anxiety after cruel Family Guy meme

Chloe Grace Moretz admitted the fallout from the meme made her "kind of sad", and she became very "self-conscious". Photo / Getty Images

Chloe Grace Moretz struggled with body dysmorphia and became a "recluse" after a cruel "Family Guy" meme.

The 25-year-old star has reflected on the way she was talked about online after a photographer snapped her walking into a hotel carrying a pizza box, which sparked a viral meme mocking her body with "long legs" and a "short torso".

She told Hunger magazine: "Everyone was making fun of my body and I brought it up with someone and they were like, 'Oh, shut the f*** up, it's funny.'

"And I just remember sitting there and thinking, my body is being used as a joke and it's something that I can't change about who I am, and it is being posted all over Instagram.

"It was something so benign as walking into a hotel with leftovers. And to this day, when I see that meme, it's something very hard for me to overcome."

She admitted the fallout made her "kind of sad", and she became very "self-conscious" even when she was in her element at red carpet events.

She added: "After that, I was kind of sad. It took a layer of something that I used to enjoy, which was getting dressed up and going to a carpet and taking a photo, and made me super self-conscious.

Chloe Grace Moretz is seen on the film set of The Ballad of Ruby Salem. Photo / Getty Images

"And I think that body dysmorphia – which we all deal with in this world – is extrapolated by the issues of social media. It's a headf***."

In response, the "Carrie" actress "became a recluse", and was able to detach herself from fame by not being pictured all the time.

She said: "I basically became a recluse. It was great because I got away from the photographers and I was able to be myself, and to have so many experiences that people didn't photograph, but at the same time it made me severely anxious when I was photographed.

"My heart rate would rise and I would hyperventilate."

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• What's Up: 0800 942 8787 (11am to11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.