Elizabeth Olsen Opens Up About Panic Attacks and Strength: How She Overcame Her Deepest Fears

“When you go through hardship and decide not to give up, that’s strength.” These words, spoken by Elizabeth Olsen, resonate deeply with her own life story. The actress, known for her roles in Martha Marcy May Marlene and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch), has navigated significant personal and professional challenges that mirror the very essence of her quote.

Overcoming Personal Struggles

Olsen’s personal journey to strength began in her early twenties, a time when she experienced intense panic attacks that left her feeling as if she would “drop dead at any moment.” In a candid interview with People magazine on September 30, 2024, Olsen shared the raw details of this difficult period, revealing that she struggled with panic attacks “almost every hour” while living in New York at age 21. Yet, instead of succumbing to her fears, Olsen chose to persevere. She developed coping strategies, such as interrupting her anxious thoughts and naming everything around her to ground herself in the present moment.

“I learned very quickly who you feel comfortable around and who you don’t,” Olsen explained, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships in her healing process. Since then, she has not experienced a panic attack, underscoring the strength she cultivated in facing her personal struggles head-on—a true testament to her refusal to give up in the face of hardship.

Professional Resilience and Identity

Olsen’s journey wasn’t only marked by personal challenges but also by the professional obstacle of being the younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, two of Hollywood’s most recognizable twins. Early in her career, Olsen was conscious of how her siblings’ fame could overshadow her own aspirations. In a February 18, 2021 interview with E! News, she acknowledged the existence of nepotism in the industry, remarking, “Nepotism is a thing and I’m very aware of it.” However, Olsen was determined to carve out her own path.

“I’ve always wanted to do it alone,” she said, underscoring her desire to build a career independent of her sisters. The challenge of establishing her identity in such a competitive field required immense strength and resilience, especially given the inevitable comparisons to her siblings. Through perseverance and dedication, Olsen has emerged as a respected actress, earning accolades for her performances in films such as Martha Marcy May Marlene and her iconic portrayal of Wanda Maximoff in the MCU.

Portraying Strength Through Her Roles

Olsen’s choice of roles further reinforces her personal mantra of strength through adversity. Her breakout role in Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) saw her portraying a young woman escaping a traumatic cult experience. The role required Olsen to tap into profound emotional resilience, portraying a character who must come to terms with a painful past while fighting to rebuild her life.

Similarly, in her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch), Olsen has embodied a character who endures immense loss, trauma, and personal tragedy. Particularly in the Disney+ series WandaVision (2021), Wanda’s grief and emotional struggles are at the forefront of the narrative. Olsen’s performance conveys the strength of a character who, despite her extraordinary powers, must confront and ultimately overcome her inner demons. Through these roles, Olsen continues to portray characters who resonate with her own journey of strength in the face of overwhelming challenges.

A Universal Theme of Resilience

The quote, sourced from a collection on Bookey on September 4, 2023, encapsulates a broader human truth: the power of perseverance. While the specific context of when Olsen first spoke these words isn’t clear, her life and career provide a clear illustration of what it means to find strength during adversity. Her struggles with panic attacks, the challenge of stepping out of her sisters’ shadows, and her ability to consistently portray characters who face deep personal turmoil all align with the themes of her quote.

As an actress, Olsen is not just embodying strength on screen—she is living it. From her own personal battles to the powerful roles she takes on, she continues to exemplify what it means to push forward in the face of hardship. Through her journey, Olsen proves that true strength comes not from avoiding struggle but from deciding, no matter how difficult, not to give up.