Daryl Hannah recently revealed to People her childhood autism diagnosis and the hardship she experienced as a result of the disorder. Although it’s hard to imagine such a huge star having issues with shyness, she says that was the main problem. Now that she’s older and learned to deal with the issues that come along with autism, she feels free to speak out.

Autism is a disorder that affects people in a way that makes social interaction and verbal communication and non-verbal communication incredibly hard, and in some cases, very restricted. Usually children are diagnosed with autism around the age of three.

Hannah admitted that, though she was very successful in her teenage years, she hid her disease from producers. “I’ve never been comfortable being the center of attention,” Hannah said, describing the “debilitating shyness” and insecurity she felt about her diagnosis. She also said she refused to do public appearances in those early years, “not because I was above it, but because I was terrified. I’m a grown up now. I’ve learned a couple of things that really would’ve made my life easier if I’d known them 20 years ago,” she said.

The pressures of Hollywood are overwhelming enough without dealing with autism. Despite that fact, she lit up Hollywood in movies like “Splash”, “Steel Magnolias”, “Blade Runner” and “Wall Street”, but none would suspect she was hiding such a secret. She used to rock incessantly, and still does, but has learned to control it, reports the Daily Mail.

Although now Daryl Hannah isn’t in the limelight or starring in lead roles, the actress has said that she is happy where she is in her life, and she hopes her struggles will open more eyes to autism.

The issue of People with this interview hits stands today.

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