Actress Linda Hamilton has spoken candidly about her mental health journey, sharing insights into how she has managed depression and bipolar disorder over the years. Hamilton, who is set to star in the upcoming film Osiris, reflected on the challenges she faced and the strategies she has developed to maintain stability.
In an interview with People magazine, Hamilton admitted that public perceptions often don’t align with her private struggles. “Nobody ever thinks that I’m going to struggle. [They think] I’ll be fine — ‘It’s Linda Hamilton’,” she said. Despite these expectations, Hamilton has found ways to maintain balance in her life.
“I have found just true balance and steadiness in my day and in my life. And I also can activate all of the safeguards that I learned from 20 years of therapy,” she explained. “If I’m having a bad day, that doesn’t mean that my behavior has to be bad or that my actions [have to be].”
Hamilton emphasized the value of experience and reflection in managing mental health. “I’m experienced enough now to go, ‘Well, [doing] that might sound good right now, but really in an hour, are you going to want to have done that?’” she said. She also added, “I can apply the brakes because I spent years and years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to get better.”
Offering encouragement to those facing similar struggles, Hamilton said, “People just can’t give up on themselves. That’s the thing. It’s just keep looking until you find your way through it. I’m living proof that it can be done.”
The actress reflected on her early years, joking about the chaos she experienced: “And I was a hot mess for the first 40 years. I never think about myself. That was the first 40 years […]. And when I got the balance […] I made a deal with myself that it would never be about me again. And it hardly ever is. It’s just not about me.”
Hamilton described the things that bring her happiness now, focusing on simple, everyday joys. “I want to pitch in, help people, make people laugh, and make my house beautiful. Love my dogs to death. [And it all makes me very happy,” she added.
Her candid reflections highlight both the challenges and the rewards of prioritizing mental health, offering a powerful message of resilience and self-care to fans and those navigating similar struggles.