IN RECENT WEEKS, Keira Knightley has opened up about the effect media intrusion had on her life during the early days of her film career, revealing that she suffered from PTSD at 22-years-old.

Ian West Ian West

And in a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the 33-year-old actress revealed that she considered turning her back on her acting career entirely, telling the publication: “I did think about it. Particularly at the point when I had a breakdown. ”

I had PTSD and panic attacks. I literally couldn’t work for a year and I didn’t know whether there would be an end to that.

Keira credits her support network for helping her through some of the most difficult times, and maintains that without their backing, she doesn’t know whether she’d have been in a position to endure that period.

I have a super-solid background and thank f**k for that. My family and my small but very close group of friends just wrapped me up. And I think, without that, it would have been a very different story.

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While her mental health deteriorated under the spotlight, Keira knew that she couldn’t ignore her devotion to acting.

Fuelled by a desire to get the upper hand, Keira ultimately decided to surge on, and continue making films.

Ultimately I didn’t want them [the media and paparazzi] to win. The only thing I want to do is make films.

Keira was just 17 when she rose to fame for her role as Jules in Bend It Like Beckham.

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