Evangeline Lilly Confirms Widespread Brain Damage From Concussion

Actress Evangeline Lilly has revealed that medical scans confirm she sustained brain damage following a concussion she suffered last year after fainting and falling face-first onto a boulder.

The disclosure came in an Instagram video posted on January 2, where Lilly described the results of recent neurological assessments. In the video, she stated: “Almost every area in my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity.” Lilly confirmed the presence of traumatic brain injury-related damage, noting that her cognitive decline since the incident has helped her slow down and achieve a more restful conclusion to her 2025.

Lilly disclosed the accident occurred last year during a beach incident where she experienced fainting followed by facial injuries and tooth damage. She first detailed the episode in May as a blackout event, having reported recurrent fainting spells since childhood. In the video, Lilly emphasized that the cognitive symptoms she is experiencing are not solely linked to perimenopause: “Comforting to know my cognitive decline isn’t just peri-menopause, discomforting to know what an uphill battle it will be to try to reverse the deficiencies.”

The actress clarified she is currently working with medical professionals to understand the full extent and cause of her brain damage while determining next steps in treatment. Lilly expressed gratitude for ongoing support from fans and friends, stating: “Thank you all for always asking, for always caring, and for your continued prayers.”

Lilly acknowledged the challenges ahead but reiterated her commitment to addressing the condition: “My job is to get to the bottom of that with doctors and then embark on the hard work of fixing it.”