Chad Michael Murray, known for his roles in Freaky Friday and several Hallmark films, revealed on June 30, 2025, that he has struggled with anxiety for most of his life. Despite his calm public demeanor, Murray explained that he often has to put on a brave face while dealing with intense personal challenges. He shared that this ongoing difficulty influences his daily life, making routine social activities, such as going out to dinner, overwhelming and intimidating.
He said,
If you ask me to dinner, no, I’d freak out,
and added,
I don’t know why. It’s really hard for me to go to dinner. It’s hard for me to go to new places. I’m a homebody. I’m a total introvert.
Recognizing Anxiety as a Lifelong Condition
Murray described how he has come to accept that his anxiety is something he will manage rather than completely overcome. He reflected on his experience at a fan convention in Georgia, where he reunited with former Hallmark colleagues from July 25 to 27. Murray revealed that he has dealt with anxiety since childhood and only sought therapy for the first time at age 21, during a period when mental health care was less openly discussed and accepted.
He emphasized the importance of support systems, stating,
It always helps to have somebody and have an outlet to talk to, find a different perspective on it, find a new trick that can help you overcome anxiety, fear, health concerns, whatever it may be.
Despite efforts to manage the disorder, Murray remarked,
It’s never gonna go away,
and explained,
It’s not like you beat it. You just kind of put your head down and you find your way through it.
Looking back, he recalled a time when his anxiety severely affected him in public. Discussing his earlier fame from shows like One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls, he admitted his vulnerability, saying,
far more fragile than I ever put on.
He recounted an episode from his early twenties:
I was around 23 and I had an event in Miami, but I couldn’t leave my hotel room,
because
The world felt like it was closing in; I was having anxiety attacks.
Murray’s Intentions Behind Sharing His Experiences
Currently starring in the new Freaky Friday sequel alongside Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, Murray revealed how his social anxiety shaped his interactions even on set. He shared a quiet moment with Curtis at a Hollywood event and described a small private encounter at Disneyland, where, without drawing attention, he acknowledged her presence silently.
He reflected on his social tendencies, explaining,
I haven’t seen Lindsay in about 15 years. But I’m a homebody and an introvert. I’m not great socially.
Opening up about his mental health struggles is a deliberate choice for Murray. He hopes to connect with others facing similar issues and to offer encouragement through his story.
He said,
Part of me realized that maybe someone else out there could connect with that and say, ‘Oh, I go through that, but he overcame it,
and added,
If I can help somebody else by telling a story that happened to be my story, OK, awesome, if not, and if someone wants to go ‘what a weirdo,’ OK fine, all good.
The Significance of Murray’s Honest Dialogue on Mental Health
Chad Michael Murray’s candid discussion about his ongoing battle with anxiety shines a light on the challenges many people face silently. His openness aims to reduce stigma and encourage others dealing with similar feelings to seek support and therapeutic outlets, demonstrating that anxiety does not have to prevent a fulfilling life or successful career.
By continuing to share his personal experiences, Murray not only humanizes the realities of living with anxiety but also fosters a community of understanding and resilience for those who may feel isolated by their struggles.
