Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About 'Bizarre' Panic Attacks Caused by Fame: 'It Feels Like Life or Death'

Amanda Seyfried has evolved from playing a “Plastic” inMean Girlsto a silver screen legend during her nearly two decades in Hollywood. But the Oscar nominee, 35, recently admitted that shestill faces anxiety and panic attacksfrom being in the Hollywood spotlight. “It feels like life or death,” she said onSunday TODAY with Willie Geist. “That’s what a panic attack is, really,” Seyfried continued. “Your body just goes into fight or flight. The endorphin rush and the dump that happens after the panic attack is so extraordinary.

Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About Health Challenges During Son's Delivery: 'It Was a Spinal Thing'

Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Amanda Seyfriedis opening up about her most recent delivery. In September 2020, the pairannounced the birth of their second childin a statement to INARA and War Child USA. Seyfried tells PEOPLE how she and her spouse juggled their two children while also grappling with her spinal challenges, “You just do. At that point, I’m very freshly out of the hospital, I had to feed him, my husband was with my daughter and I had people that could drive me back to the hospital.

Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About How Being a Mom Changed Her Career Choices: 'I Feel More Empowered'

Amanda Seyfriedis a mom first, actress second. “I feel more empowered,” Seyfried toldPorterEdit. “I’ll say no, I can’t do that press trip, I’m spending time with my daughter,” the actress said. “Oh, you want my top off for that part? How about we scrap that sex scene altogether? And no, I’m not wearing those thongs!” The roles she chooses not only has had a positive impact on motherhood and parenting, but also certain elements in her personal life.

Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About How Her Australian Shepherd Pup Finn Changed Her Life: 'Something About Me Needed Him'

Amanda Seyfried’scareer has been on the uptick ever since landing the role of ditzy blonde Karen Smith in Tina Fey’s 2004 comedyMean Girlsat the age of 18—but it hasn’t always been easy. As the actress started booking more high-profile projects in her late teens and early twenties, and a life in Los Angeles beckoned, she battled anxiety. That is, until she met “the one” — her Australian Shepherd rescue pup named Finn — on the set of the HBO showBig Love, which ran from 2006-2011.

Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About How Her Rescue Dog Changed Her Life — and Inspired Her to Stand Up for Homeless Pets

Photo: Courtesy Best Friends Animal SocietyAmanda Seyfried is hopelessly in love with her7-year-old rescue dog, Finn.They do pretty much everything together: take hikes, cuddle, nap. Whenever Seyfried is feeling scatterbrained, she scratches him behind the ears and looks into his eyes, she tells PEOPLE. Courtesy Best Friends Animal Society“Finn has made me more present,” she says. “He’s always so sensitive and in-the-moment — it’s all he has. He feels deeply. I love just randomly going upstairs and falling asleep next to him.