Sarah Hyland admits she is still “triggered” by a previous abusive relationship.

The Modern Family star spoke to Variety about being a domestic violence survivor and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which she frequently suffers from. The interview comes a few months after her ex Matt Prokop, against whom she previously had a restraining order, was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

“(Post-traumatic stress disorder stays) in this abused place of your soul where you think all the time it’s your fault and you could have done better, you could have gotten out sooner, you could have told people,” she said the point of sale.

Hyland, 33, explained that she understands why so many survivors “don’t want to talk about it anymore” and want the whole experience to be “put behind them.”

“I completely understand the dissociation pattern,” she continued. “I have a lot of guilt myself…until something happens that triggers me, and I didn’t realize that part of me was healed.”

Hyland admitted she may never “fully heal” from her abuse.

“It’s something that leaves a little scar on her soul,” she shared. “It’s more about giving that scar love rather than hating and ignoring it.”

The former “Love Island USA” host – who has been married to “Bachelor” alum Wells Adams since 2022 – has since spoken out about her abuse and is encouraging others to share their stories too.

“I don’t think the community shared enough. And I think if we talk about it more, more women — and men and just people in general in abusive relationships — will feel more comfortable talking about it with their loved ones,” she told Variety. “Instead of letting their abuser isolate them from everyone, which is the first thing they do to prevent this community from forming. That’s why we have to keep talking about it.”

Hyland’s abusive relationship with Prokop became public in September 2014 when she was granted a restraining order against him.

Hyland claimed her “Geek Charming” co-star was verbally and physically abusive to her during their five-year relationship, accusing him of choking her and threatening the lives of her and her dog.

“His grip was so tight that I couldn’t breathe or speak. I was scared and afraid for my life,” she recalled in the filing at the time.

Nearly 10 years after he was ordered to stay away from Hyland, Prokop was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in Texas in May.

Prokop’s girlfriend allegedly called the police and claimed he allegedly pushed her and hit her head on something.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.