Kate Beckinsale has described navigating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as akin to living in "hell." In a series of Instagram videos, the 53-year-old actress spoke about the profound impact of trauma on individuals and urged greater compassion from others.
Beckinsale explained that those who have experienced "levels of horror, terror, violence" often become adept at concealing their struggles. "A lot of those people become incredibly good at masking it," she stated. "And it’s sad because they become so good that they get no grace whatsoever."
She detailed how individuals with PTSD often face disrupted sleep, experiencing nightmares even when they do manage to rest. "Anything — smells, sounds, thoughts, feelings — can trigger them into a place that is actually like hell," Beckinsale said, emphasizing that because PTSD is an "invisible" condition, people should extend more kindness and gentleness to one another. She added, "It really is true that when you haven’t walked a mile in someone’s shoes — however fancy you think the shoes are — you have absolutely no idea what they might be carrying, masking, dealing with day and night."
Beckinsale noted that victims of PTSD can feel profoundly isolated, yet they continue to persevere. "The loneliest people" are those who "continue to try and put one foot in front of the other," she shared.
Grief and Empathy
In a subsequent video, Beckinsale highlighted that the preceding Sunday was National Grief Awareness Day. She advised against telling someone they are "strong," as this perceived strength might be misinterpreted as a lack of need for support. "There are people who are silently caregiving, watching their loved ones deteriorate in horrifying and frightening ways that they’re not medically qualified to deal with," she said. "And they do it on their own. And it can break them."
She concluded by encouraging her followers to strive to be a source of safety for those who are struggling, suggesting that such support "could be the difference for someone."
Beckinsale has been vocal about her own grief, particularly following the deaths of her mother, actress Judy Loe, in July 2025, and her stepfather, Roy Battersby, in January 2024. She described her mother's death, which occurred while Loe was battling stage 4 cancer, as her "greatest fear," a sentiment she linked to the death of her father when she was a child.
Those seeking support for mental health issues can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).