by Chris Hemsworth may seem like the epitome of a fearless action hero on screen as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But in real life, he has struggled with crippling anxiety and panic attacks for over a decade. His candid revelations about his mental health battles show that even superheroes are vulnerable.
In various interviews over the years, Hemsworth has peeled back the mask of his charmed life and revealed the daily struggles he faces. Though he presents a composed facade in public, he grapples with intense anxiety behind closed doors. Panic attacks have ambushed Hemsworth at the most inopportune times and threatened to derail his career.
However, he has bravely begun speaking out about his experience in hopes of helping others who deal with similar issues realize they’re not alone. Hemsworth is determined not to let anxiety dictate his life, though it remains an ongoing challenge he must continually overcome.
The First Unexpected Attack
Hemsworth traces the start of his panic attacks back to when he was just 19 or 20 years old. He was traveling to Sydney for an audition and suddenly felt an intense wave of fear and dread wash over him.
In an interview with Men’s Health, Hemsworth recalled, “I was on the plane and just thought, ‘Nup, I’m done, I need to get off.’ I stood up and walked straight off the plane.”
At the time, he had no idea what was happening to him. “I literally left and called my dad and said, ‘I think I need to come home and just never go back again,'” Hemsworth shared.
Looking back now, he realizes it was his first major panic attack – but in the moment, he thought he was having a heart attack. The extreme terror was so debilitating, Hemsworth abandoned his travel plans and career ambitions.
Persistent Intrusive Thoughts
While Hemsworth eventually went on to achieve massive Hollywood success, panic and anxiety have plagued him for years. Intense bouts come and go, but he lives with ongoing mental strain.
Hemsworth described in an interview with Variety how his anxiety manifests: “My head spins. My heart races. And I get super cranky.” The worst aspect for him is the constant ruminating thoughts saying he’s not good enough and that he’s going to mess up his life.
“It’s something I’ve lived with my whole life. The triggered response is dictated by the scenario, but I find myself asking, ‘Why can’t I just enjoy this?'” Hemsworth shared honestly.
Unpredictable Triggers
For many who struggle with anxiety disorders, pinpointing exact triggers that provoke attacks can be difficult. Hemsworth told British GQ he has not identified any predictable triggers or patterns for his episodes.
In fact, his panic attacks often hit when he theoretically should feel at ease: “Getaways are good for us, but I’ll come back feeling drained and more exhausted than normal,” he said.
Despite being surrounded by affluence and success, Hemsworth remains vulnerable. “You have it all, but all of a sudden you’re having these irrational fears that you never had before,” he told Variety. “You get hooked on sort of a temporary relief and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Derailing Public Appearances
Hemsworth has occasionally had to back out of media appearances and public events at the last minute when he feels a panic attack coming on. Though it’s always a difficult decision, protecting his mental health has to take priority.
He told British GQ that anxiety has derailed many potential opportunities over the years. “I’ve had it before interviews. I’ve had it casually,” he said. “Social settings it’ll come out of nowhere…I remember times when it was really bad a few years ago.”
During the press tour for Avengers: Endgame in 2019, Hemsworth’s anxiety almost caused him to miss the world premiere fan event. But with his wife Elsa Pataky’s encouragement, he managed to push through.
“I was like ‘Oh God.’ I stood on the red carpet with the cast and almost started laughing hysterically but crying because I was in such a heightened nervous state. It’s so ridiculous. Nothing’s going to happen! It’s a carpet, people,” Hemsworth told Variety.
Jeopardizing Career Dreams
Most critically, Hemsworth’s ongoing struggles with panic attacks and anxiety could have prevented him from ascending to stardom at all. When he was first starting out, panic attacks made him reluctant to seize career-making opportunities.
Hemsworth told Men’s Health that after walking off that fateful Sydney plane years ago, he wanted to give up on acting entirely. “I was at an all-time low because I thought I was missing opportunities,” he admitted.
But with the help of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), he gradually worked through the paralyzing anxiety and got back on track in pursuing his dreams. “It really helped me identify why I was having those feelings,” Hemsworth said.
Difficulty Filming
Now that he’s made it in Hollywood, Hemsworth still battles anxiety on set while filming. Panic attacks sometimes impact his ability to perform scenes as the stoic hero Thor.
He described to Variety how anxiety makes the job much harder: “It was like I had all this extra energy buzzing through my body that I didn’t know what to do with. I had to step off set for a minute and just walk around and take some deep breaths.”
Occasionally, his crippling anxiety has even forced Hemsworth to halt filming altogether. He openly confessed to British GQ, “I’ve suffered from anxiety for years and years and had panic attacks…There are times when anxiety knocks me around and sends me into a state at some points during filming.”
Imposter Syndrome
Like many talented stars plagued by anxiety, Hemsworth struggles with imposter syndrome and feelings of inadequacy despite his blockbuster success. Rather than feeling pride in his accomplishments, he tends to fixate on self-doubt.
“I don’t think I’ve ever considered myself talented,” he told Variety. “I question myself all the time. I think that’s what drives me to work harder; it probably always will.”
His sense of not belonging and chronic anxiety make enjoying his achievements difficult, even when starring as the iconic Norse god Thor. Hemsworth divulged to Men’s Health that during the filming of Avengers: Age of Ultron, “I had a bit of anxiety about taking on the role…I thought, ‘Am I actually right for this?’”
Difficulty Socializing
The social demands of Hollywood have always been a challenge for Hemsworth due to his anxiety. He dreads industry networking events and often bows out at the last minute.
“After a day of press, I’m exhausted to the point where I feel like I can’t hold conversation. I become unsociable,” Hemsworth told British GQ.
He also dislikes interacting with fans, not because he isn’t grateful for their support, but due to the self-imposed pressure. “When I meet fans I’m always convinced that they’re expecting someone funnier, smarter and livelier,” Hemsworth confessed.
Seeking Treatment
To manage his ongoing struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, Hemsworth has explored various treatment methods over the years. He told Men’s Health that cognitive behavioral therapy helped him change thought patterns, diet adjustments reduced inflammation, and regular fitness regimens release pent-up negative energy.
“I invest in my health and wellness, more in my psyche and my mental fitness, than I ever have before,” Hemsworth noted. “It takes work every day, and some days are better than others.”
He also sings the praises of transcendental meditation and breathwork for relieving anxiety symptoms. “TM, for me, has been incredibly beneficial,” Hemsworth told British GQ.
No Shame in Struggling
While the temptation for stars is to hide any signs of weakness, Hemsworth has made the brave choice to speak openly about his mental health battles. He hopes being transparent will help free others from shame or embarrassment around anxiety disorders.
“For a long while, I didn’t want to share my story because there is such a stigma around mental health issues,” he told Variety. “People set it up as a character flaw, something to be ashamed of, something to hide, which means no one talks about it.”
Hemsworth acknowledged that his privileged life hasn’t made him immune to the struggle. “You look at someone’s life like mine and think, I have no reason or right to feel anxious or depressed; my life is incredible,” he told Men’s Health. Yet he emphasizes, “It is as real as anything.”
Raising Mental Health Awareness
As one of the world’s biggest stars, Hemsworth recognizes the platform he has to destigmatize conversations around mental illness and make a positive impact. He hopes to embolden others to get help and not feel defeated.
“I believe you can turn your nervous energy into excitement,” Hemsworth told British GQ. “You just have to breathe and tell yourself ‘I got this’ and move forward.”
He also reminds fans that every hero, whether mythological or on the big screen, deals with vulnerability. “We all have our fears and insecurities, but we can use them to shape who we become,” Hemsworth told Men’s Health.
By unmasking his own struggles with panic attacks, Hemsworth proves that even the mightiest Avenger has weaknesses, but can still triumph when darkness descends. His willingness to reveal intimate details about his mental health makes him a true superhero in the lives of many. Hemsworth doesn’t let anxiety attacks defeat him; he transforms them into power.
