Goldie Hawn, who made her acting debut in 1967 still remembers the “scariest thing” that ever happened to her and has opened up about her struggles. The 78-year-old actress recalled having panic attacks at an early stage of her career during a recent episode of Making Space with Hoda Kotb podcast.
Goldie Hawn started learning to dance at a young age, became a dance instructor, and began appearing on stage as a dancer. However, the major shift in her career came when she landed the role she auditioned for in Good Morning World, a sitcom in 1967, and the producers gave her special consideration.
Goldie Hawn battled panic attacks and anxiety
After her agent broke the good news, Goldie Hawn began to experience depression and anxiety because she was much more interested in being a dancer. “I was just getting my feet wet,” the Oscar winner shared. Then, Goldie Hawn reached out to her mother about the acting gig and how she had become anxious, having little panic attacks. She could not believe they would especially write a part of the sitcom for her.
When the production of Good Morning World began, Goldie Hawn’s anxiety problems intensified, and she occasionally separated herself from others because she “did not know when another panic attack would begin.” This continued until the actress decided to consult a psychologist.
The actress noted that she was always full of happiness growing up, but when she began to experience a boost in her career, the joy seemed to fade away, and she had to force all she normally did with pleasure. “It was the scariest thing that ever happened to me,” she said.
Mental health: Goldie Hawn’s journey to recovery
The frequent panic attacks that led Goldie Hawn to her psychologist resulted in a nine-year journey where she learned to have a positive perception of herself and not be bothered by what anyone thought about her. In May, Mental Awareness Month, Goldie Hawn shared mental health tips that could help people manage anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Having overcome her struggles, the actress encouraged others to always check up on their loved ones and provide constant emotional support for them. With her experience, Goldie Hawn has shown that seeking support with mental challenges is important because it helps individuals achieve success without getting distracted by different people’s opinions.
