Amanda Seyfried Reveals Her Mental Health Diagnosis and Why She Still Takes Medication Today

Amanda Seyfried recently opened up to Vogue about her experiences living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, sharing personal details about her years-long struggle.

The well-known actress, now 40, recently shared how she first experienced very serious health issues when she was only 19. While filming the TV show Big Love and living in Marina del Rey, her condition became so severe that her mother had to take a month off work in Pennsylvania to care for her.

Seyfried remembers this time as a turning point, leading to brain scans and a diagnosis that significantly impacted her life. She started taking medication nightly after receiving the diagnosis, and continues to do so without fail.

The lead actress in the new film, The Testament of Ann Lee, has spoken openly about her mental health care, framing it as essential self-care – just like treating a physical illness. She previously shared with Allure that she doesn’t understand why people feel ashamed to use medication if it improves their quality of life.

In a recent Vogue interview, Amanda Seyfried shared how her obsessive-compulsive disorder unexpectedly influenced the start of her career, something she now looks back on with amusement. Unlike many other young actors at the time who were out enjoying Hollywood’s nightlife, Seyfried often chose to stay in. She explained that managing her OCD required her to avoid things like staying up late or using alcohol and drugs, which led to a more low-key life compared to her peers.

Seyfried has said that dealing with her health condition actually helped her cope with rejection in the acting world. She explained that because she was already facing significant personal struggles, the typical disappointments of the industry didn’t bother her as much. She made a conscious effort to prioritize her mental health, which meant avoiding the fast-paced nightlife scene and instead focusing on her acting and overall well-being.

Sharing her experiences with mental health is happening while Amanda Seyfried’s career is soaring. She’s receiving a lot of attention and potential awards for her powerful performance in the film, The Testament of Ann Lee.

The historical musical drama, directed by Mona Fastvold and co-written by Brady Corbet, tells the story of Ann Lee, the 18th-century founder of the Shakers. Actress Amanda Seyfried plays Ann Lee, and her performance has been widely praised, earning her nominations and awards, including a Best Actress nomination at the Critics Choice Awards and a win at the Astra Film Awards.

The film boasts a talented cast featuring Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Christopher Abbott, and Tim Blake Nelson. It’s notable for its wild and unique musical numbers. After a small release in December, it will be playing in more theaters starting January 23rd.

Reviewers have applauded Seyfried’s performance, noting her ability to portray both the intense joy and the immense suffering of the historical figure as she pursued her dream of a perfect society.

Besides her work in historical dramas, Amanda Seyfried recently starred in the thriller The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig. The movie, based on Freida McFadden’s popular novel, features Seyfried as Nina Winchester, a rich woman hiding secrets, who employs a housemaid played by Sydney Sweeney.

Although opinions on the movie were divided, critics consistently praised Amanda Seyfried’s performance. They particularly noted her energetic portrayal of a character who was both playfully over-the-top and strikingly glamorous.

I’m so excited to see what’s next for this actress! I’ve heard she’s going to be leading the new Peacock series, Long Bright River, which sounds amazing – it’s a true-crime drama adapted from Liz Moore’s novel. I can’t wait to watch!

Rumors continue to circulate about a potential third Mamma Mia! movie, and Amanda Seyfried is expected to reprise her role as Sophie. Beyond her work on screen, Seyfried is also a strong advocate for mental health and consistently takes on interesting and varied roles, making her a particularly engaging and down-to-earth presence in Hollywood today.

What are your thoughts on celebrities publicly discussing their ongoing use of medication for mental health?

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2026-01-10 11:15