“I’m Dying, This Is It”, Sylvester Stallone Talks About Decades Of Anxiety Attacks 

Sylvester Stallone has opened up about decades of anxiety-induced attacks, revealing that the episodes began when he was 36 and still occur in certain situations.

The 80-year-old actor discussed his experience in a candid interview with The New York Times ahead of the release of his memoir, The Steps.

Sylvester Stallone said his first episode happened while he was watching daily footage from a film project.

He recalled suddenly feeling hot, frightened, and convinced that he was dying.

“I’m dying, this is it, I’m on my way out,” Stallone recalled.

He said he then collapsed to one knee, crawled, and rolled over inside the dark cinema.

The actor did not specifically describe the episodes as panic attacks.

Instead, he referred to them as anxiety-induced attacks and said similar moments happened “again and again and again.”

Sylvester Stallone says crowds can trigger attacks

Stallone also described experiencing the episodes in crowded places.

He recalled attending an art exhibition with his wife when the room gradually became more crowded.

As the number of people increased, he said he began feeling that he was about to collapse.

His wife would then help him leave the crowded space.

Sylvester Stallone said he could sometimes reach an alley before dropping to one knee.

The actor said the experiences have continued as he has grown older.

His disclosure offers another personal account of anxiety from a Hollywood figure whose public image has long been built around physical toughness and resilience.