How Hypnotherapy Helped Reese Witherspoon Overcome Panic Attacks

• Reese Witherspoon identifies as a person with high anxiety and has suffered severe panic attacks.
• Traditional methods like medication and meditation had limitations for her, partly due to ADHD.
• Hypnotherapy combined with neurolinguistic programming brought transformative relief.
• She advocates openly for acknowledgment and empathy towards anxiety sufferers.
• Witherspoon’s story reinforces the value of exploring unconventional therapies when conventional methods fall short.

Reese Witherspoon, the acclaimed actress known for roles in Legally Blonde and The Morning Show, recently opened up about her personal battle with high anxiety and panic attacks. In a candid discussion on the Las Culturistas podcast on September 17, 2025, Witherspoon shared how traditional methods like medication and meditation fell short, but a hypnotherapist trained in neurolinguistic programming (NLP) transformed her experience. This revelation sheds light on alternative therapies for anxiety management that many may not have considered.

Reese Witherspoon Admits to Struggling with ‘Bad Panic Attacks’ and ‘High Anxiety’

In her conversation, Witherspoon described herself as “a high-anxiety person” whose anxiety often manifests in performance-driven ways. She explained, “You have to perform. You have to show up, which is a lot of my anxiety.” The actress revealed she used to suffer from “bad panic attacks, like crying,” underscoring the intensity of her experiences. Her openness highlights how anxiety can pervade even the most successful lives, connecting with many who face similar hidden struggles.

Tried Medication and Meditation but Found Limitations

Witherspoon shared she had attempted several strategies to manage her anxiety. She used medication like Ativan but found it left her feeling “like a zombie” and disconnected from her true self. She said, “I wasn’t performing at the level I wanted to, and I wasn’t as funny.” Meditation was another option, but with her ADHD symptoms, it was challenging to maintain focus, making it less effective for her. Despite these efforts, the relief they offered wasn’t sufficient, demonstrating the difficulty some individuals face in finding suitable anxiety treatments.

How Hypnotherapy and Neurolinguistic Programming Changed Things

The turning point in Witherspoon’s journey came at age 34 when she started working with a hypnotherapist specializing in neurolinguistic programming (NLP). She said, “She helped me realize that I was going to get the same result, but I could get rid of all the anxiety in the middle.” She called this approach “life-changing,” emphasizing that it allowed her to perform without carrying unnecessary stress. By combining hypnosis and NLP, this therapy reprogrammed her response to anxiety, enabling more effective emotional management.

Reese Witherspoon Advocates for Recognition of Real Anxiety Struggles

Witherspoon delivered a heartfelt message about anxiety’s reality and prevalence. “Anxiety is real,” she said. She expressed empathy for others going through similar difficulties, adding, “I see girls going through it or guys going through it … I wanna hug them.” Her words encourage destigmatization and understanding, emphasizing that anxiety is a common challenge needing compassionate acknowledgment.

Podcast Appearance on Las Culturistas: A Platform for Honesty

Her Sept. 17 appearance on Las Culturistas, hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, was notable for its candidness and vulnerability. The show’s informal yet thoughtful style gave Witherspoon space to discuss complex feelings around anxiety and ambition. Matt Rogers noted that Witherspoon’s high anxiety was linked to her ambition and drive, a connection often overlooked but widely relevant among high achievers.

Reese Witherspoon’s Mental Health Journey Includes Postpartum Struggles

While the latest focus has been on her hypnosis experience, Witherspoon has long been transparent about mental health. She began therapy as a teenager to cope with anxiety and depression and has openly discussed postpartum depression following the births of her three children. Her lifelong journey with mental health exemplifies resilience and the ongoing need for evolving coping tools.

Also Read | Howie Mandel Shares Grandson Axel’s Leukemia Battle and Remission Update