Actors often pull from their own lives to bring authenticity to their roles, but for Kelly Monaco, starring in "General Hospital" required her to dig deep into parts of herself she’d prefer to keep hidden. Playing Sam's dramatic breakdown—where the character experienced hallucinations and even tried to kill Sonny—proved to be an intense emotional journey for the actress. "I’ve dealt with panic attacks and anxiety for many years," Kelly revealed. "It’s something I live with almost daily, so tapping into those feelings wasn’t difficult, but it was certainly challenging."

Revisiting Personal Struggles for the Sake of Art

Kelly Monaco has been candid about her ongoing battle with anxiety, which she says affects her almost every day. When it came time to portray Sam’s mental unraveling, she had to revisit some of her darkest moments. "Going back to that place where I experienced one of my worst anxiety attacks for the show was incredibly traumatic," she admitted. "You work yourself up so much during those scenes that it takes a while to come down from it. It’s not just acting; it’s reliving emotions that are raw and painful."

gh alexis, sam, & jason - jpi — Howard Wise/jpistudios.com

Sam feared she was losing her mind!

Read also:
Zoe Saldana Prioritizes Family A Behindthescenes Look At Her Life

Sam's Journey Toward Recovery

Thankfully, Sam eventually overcame the harrowing ordeal that plagued her mind, thanks to medical intervention that cured the disease affecting her brain. This allowed her to regain control of her life and return to the strong, sassy woman fans know and love. Kelly Monaco is excited to explore this renewed version of Sam. "Sam has faced tough times before, but this experience might help rebuild her character," she reflected. "It could add another layer to the Sam we all adore—someone who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand her ground."

Facing New Challenges Head-On

Despite her triumph, Sam’s life remains complicated, especially with two men claiming to be her husband, Jason Morgan. While the storyline promises plenty of drama, Kelly believes Sam’s recent trials have made her even stronger. "Having gone through such a difficult period, Sam now has the strength to tackle whatever challenges come her way," Kelly noted. "Whether it’s personal or professional, she’s ready to face it head-on."

This story originally appeared on our sister site, ABC Soaps in Depth.