Debby Ryan has revealed that she suffered a life altering brain injury several years ago, leaving her with lasting changes and worsening migraines.
Ryan discussed her history of brain injuries during a Sept. 15 appearance on Mythical Kitchen’s “Last Meals” series, where she described her migraines as “hellish.”
The 33-year-old actor said her first four concussions resulted from blunt-force injuries, while her fifth involved sustained shaking for about a minute.
Ryan did not disclose what caused the latest incident. She said the resulting injury was significant enough to keep her out of commission for roughly six months, followed by a period of neurological rehabilitation.
According to NJ.com, Ryan also said she underwent what she described as a “fringe science” treatment that helped her feel “back online.”
However, she said some abilities did not fully return, leading her to describe her life as divided between “pre-incident Debby” and “post-incident Debby.” Ryan explained that visual stimulation can sometimes become overwhelming.
She said she can occasionally see and think better with her eyes closed because bright surroundings and the amount of visual information can become distracting, particularly alongside her migraines.
Ryan said she feels fortunate to have a strong support system during her recovery. She specifically praised her husband, Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun, for helping her through the changes.
The couple married in 2019 and welcomed their daughter Felix in December 2025. Ryan previously shared details of Felix’s home birth on Instagram.
Ryan became widely known through Disney Channel’s “The Suite Life on Deck” before starring as the lead character in “Jessie.” Variety reported that she is also set to appear in the thriller film “Famous,” alongside Zac Efron and Phoebe Dynevor.
