(CNN) Lena Dunham took to social media to tell the world she's dealing with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a chronic disease that affects the joints and skin.

The creator and star of "Girls" posted the announcement on Instagram in response to the publication of a paparazzi photo that showed her walking with a cane.

"This is what life is like when I'm struggling most with chronic illness," she wrote. "An Ehler-Danlos syndrome flare means that I need support from more than just my friends... so thank you, sweet cane!"

"For years, I resisted doing anything that would make my physical situation easier, insisting that a cane would 'make things weird,'" she wrote. "But it's so much less weird to actually be able to participate than to stay in bed all day. And yes, you'd better believe I'm wearing my nightgown. I was walking four feet to the car to go to the doctor and I wanted to be full cozy."

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