Goldie Hawn Opens Up About Early Career Anxiety and Mental Health

Goldie Hawn, the renowned Oscar-winning actress, recently spoke candidly about her mental health struggles during her early career, sharing her experiences on the «Making Space» podcast hosted by Hoda Kotb. The actress, now 78, divulged that she struggled with anxiety and depression after gaining her first major role in the television sitcom «Good Morning World,» which aired from 1967 to 1968.

«They said they wrote a part in for me, and I called home and I said, ‘Mom, you’re not going to believe this,’” Hawn recounted. However, the excitement quickly turned into anxiety, leading to panic attacks. «I realized that every time I’d go into a restaurant or a place, I’d get dizzy, and I would want to go home,» she disclosed during the podcast.

Hawn described this emotional turn as alarming because she had always been joyful as a child. “Nothing bothered me. I was joyful,” she reflected, emphasizing the stark difference she felt during this challenging period in her life. «I didn’t know what happened to my joy,» she said, noting that she would try to fake her smile, an experience she described as «the scariest thing.»

Throughout the filming of «Good Morning World,» Hawn had to manage her panic attacks, often retreating to her dressing room to regain her composure. To address her anxiety, she sought the help of a psychologist and spent nine years in therapy. «I was learning about myself. I was learning about how to forgive,» she noted, highlighting the importance of understanding oneself.

Reflecting on her early career decisions, Hawn admitted that she was initially hesitant about acting. «I didn’t want to do that. I was a dancer,» she recounted, explaining her feelings of being «taken out of a world and put into another world.»

Hawn’s open discussion about her mental health struggles underscores her belief in the importance of acknowledging and addressing such issues. «We can’t live in the dark and wonder what’s going on with me. We have to know that people do experience this,” she asserted.

This philosophy is a cornerstone of Hawn’s foundation, which is dedicated to developing educational programs that help children manage their emotions and develop empathy and compassion.

During her conversation with Hoda Kotb, Hawn also spoke about the importance of self-compassion and the dangers of tying self-worth to public perception. «When somebody says, ‘I love you, you’re great,’ that’s wonderful. But they don’t know me,» she explained, highlighting the value of maintaining personal truth amidst external opinions.