Lindsay Lohan reveals her extreme PTSD from relentless paparazzi experiences during her early spotlight years.
Lindsay Lohan has candidly spoken about the severe emotional toll she endured from relentless paparazzi attention during her early years in the spotlight. In an interview with The Times of London published on August 2, the actress revealed she developed intense post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to these invasive experiences.
Reflecting on her childhood fame, Lohan expressed a deep concern for her family’s safety:
“I don’t ever want my family to experience being chased by the paparazzi the way I was,”
she shared.
“They were terrifying moments I had in my life. I have PTSD to the extreme from those things.”
Relentless Media Scrutiny During Early Career
Beginning her acting career in 1998 with a breakout role in The Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan quickly became a constant target for intrusive media attention. Over the years, she endured what she described as “really scary” and “the most invasive situations,” all of which left lasting psychological scars. Lohan emphasized the ongoing impact this had on her well-being, saying,
“I pray stuff like that never comes back,”
and adding,
“It’s not safe. It’s not fair.”
New Life and Family in Dubai
After growing up in New York and Los Angeles, Lohan has resettled in Dubai, where she lives with her husband, Bader Shammas, and their two-year-old son, Luai. The couple consciously avoids exposing their child to public scrutiny. Lohan explained,
“I lived like that and it’s not who I am. Dubai is a safe place where we can just have a normal life, outside of what I call ‘the noise,’”
continuing,
[It is] where my husband and I can see what is right for our child. It’s not about me anymore.”
Choosing privacy for their son, Lohan and Shammas refrain from sharing images of Luai’s face on social media. She talked about this protective approach, saying,
Image of: Lindsay Lohan
“It’s something my husband and I discuss all the time. ‘Do we want to show our son?’”
and added,
“We will know when the time might be right, but it’s also a protection.”
The actress also reflected on the innocence of childhood.
“Kids are so pure, such a clean slate, and they are learning everything for the first time — it is beautiful. I want to relive those moments with my son, like I have never seen them before,”
Lohan said.
Inspiration Behind Returning to the “Freaky Friday” Franchise
Lindsay Lohan’s son, Luai, partly inspired her to reprise her role in the highly anticipated sequel to Freaky Friday. In this follow-up, Lohan’s character, Anna Coleman, is portrayed as a single mother who swaps bodies with her teenage child, while Lee Curtis’ character, Tess, exchanges places with Anna’s soon-to-be British stepdaughter. This film marks the first time Lohan has played a mother in an onscreen role.
She reflected humorously on this milestone:
“Yes, this is a first,”
and added,
“It’s timing. Time is working on my side, which is great.”
Lohan recalled how the idea for the sequel was first brought up by Jamie Lee Curtis during her pregnancy, saying,
“Jamie [Lee Curtis] mentioned the idea when I was pregnant and I was like, ‘Well, not right this second,’”
underscoring the thoughtful timing behind her return.
Significance and Future Outlook
Lindsay Lohan’s openness about her PTSD stemming from paparazzi chases highlights the often overlooked psychological impact behind celebrity culture and media invasiveness. Her move to Dubai symbolizes a deliberate effort to protect her family’s privacy and foster a safer environment for her child, away from the pressures she endured. As she reembraces acting with a fresh perspective shaped by motherhood, Lohan’s journey reflects the ongoing balance between personal healing and professional growth.
