Debby Ryan reveals life altering brain injury after suffering five concussions

Debby Ryan has opened up about a serious brain injury that left her unable to work for months and changed how she experiences everyday life.

The former Disney Channel star, 33, discussed her health during a September 15 appearance on Mythical Kitchen’s Last Meals, where she spoke about living with migraines and becoming overwhelmed by bright lights, loud sounds and busy surroundings.

Ryan revealed that she has suffered five concussions, with her symptoms becoming significantly worse after the fifth. She described that injury as a "life altering brain injury" and said she was "out of commission" for around six months while undergoing neurological rehabilitation.

The actress also said she tried what she described as a "fringe science treatment", which she credited with helping her feel as though she was getting "back online". However, Ryan acknowledged that some abilities or experiences she had before the injury "did not come back".

Ryan explained that her first four concussions resulted from an incident, while the fifth involved sustained shaking lasting over a minute. She did not reveal further details about either circumstance.

The experience has continued to shape how Ryan thinks about herself. She said she now considers her life in terms of "pre incident Debbie" and "post incident Debbie". She also explained that closing her eyes can sometimes help her process information by reducing the amount of visual input around her.

Ryan credited people close to her with helping her through the lengthy recovery. Her comments prompted supportive reactions online, with viewers discussing the seriousness of repeated concussions and the effects brain injuries can have on everyday life.

Ryan became widely known as Bailey Pickett on The Suite Life on Deck before starring as Jessie Prescott in Jessie. She later appeared in 16 Wishes, Radio Rebel and Netflix series Insatiable. Her latest appearance on Last Meals also promoted her film The Sun Never Sets, released in August 2026