Beckinsale on PTSD: 'You don't know what they carry'

Actress Kate Beckinsale recently shared candid insights into the challenges of living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She described how PTSD can permanently alter a person's nervous system, often leading individuals to become highly adept at masking their internal struggles. These individuals may appear functional, but they can experience severe sleep disturbances, nightmares, and be triggered by ordinary sensory input.

Beckinsale stressed that PTSD is an invisible condition, making sufferers feel profoundly alone. She advocated for increased compassion and gentleness towards others, reminding people that they cannot know the hidden burdens others carry. The actress noted that constantly being told someone is 'strong' can be detrimental, as it may mask the fact that they are 'crushed' and in need of support rather than just admiration for their resilience.

Reflecting on her own experience, Beckinsale linked her recent weight loss to the profound grief following her mother's death in July 2025. She described the shock and trauma of witnessing loved ones suffer and die, which she stated significantly impacted her appetite and physical well-being. Beckinsale shared that watching her mother's deterioration and death, after also losing her father and stepfather, was a source of immense suffering.