Kate Beckinsale discusses personal struggles with PTSD and grief

Actress Kate Beckinsale has spoken publicly about her experiences with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), describing the condition as being “actually like hell.” In a series of Instagram videos, Beckinsale discussed how trauma can manifest through nightmares, sleep deprivation, and sudden triggers such as specific smells, sounds, or thoughts.

Beckinsale highlighted the difficulty of living with an invisible struggle, noting that many individuals become highly skilled at masking their symptoms while continuing to work, socialize, and care for families. She urged others to be “kinder and gentler,” observing that people often fail to realize the weight others are carrying because they appear functional.

The actress also addressed her experiences with grief following the death of her mother, Judy Loe, who passed away after a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Beckinsale connected her personal grief to her mental health struggles, noting the exhaustion that comes from being “strong for years.”