Hannah Murray reveals cult trauma and psychotic breakdown in new memoir

Actor Hannah Murray has revealed her harrowing experience inside a wellness cult that led to a psychotic breakdown. In her upcoming memoir, she describes how her involvement began in 2017 and spiralled into a crisis requiring psychiatric care. The book, titled The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, is set for release on June 23. Murray first encountered the group through an 'energy healer' introduced by her personal trainer while filming Detroit. The cult’s leader, a charismatic and self-assured man, fostered an intensely eroticised atmosphere. He often used sexual humour to assert control over members.

Over time, she spent thousands of dollars chasing promises of 'wisdom and specialness'. But the experience left deep scars—even mainstream wellness practices now trigger distress. Her mental health deteriorated, culminating in a psychotic episode that landed her in a psychiatric unit. Doctors later diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. The ordeal prompted Murray to step away from acting and distance herself entirely from the wellness industry. Her memoir recounts the journey from initial fascination to eventual collapse under the cult’s influence.

The book’s publication on June 23 will mark Murray’s first detailed account of her time in the cult. Her story highlights the financial and emotional toll of her involvement, as well as the lasting impact on her mental health. She has since withdrawn from both acting and wellness circles, focusing instead on recovery.