Kirsten Storms is officially on a temporary break from General Hospital and her role as Maxie Jones, and now we know why.
Kirsten Storms temporarily left General Hospital and moved out of Los Angeles primarily for personal and health-related reasons.
Here’s a breakdown of why:
Ongoing Health Issues
Kirsten revealed on Instagram that she recently had a brain scan in January 2025. Doctors discovered a brain aneurysm on the right side of her brain. This came after a previous brain surgery in 2021 to remove a problematic cyst. She described the experience in a very candid and humorous way, but it’s clear the diagnosis was serious and prompted major life reflection.
“Since the January scan showed a new, but very small, squatter (aka cyst) on my brain stem – it was clear I needed to change some things in my life ASAP.”
Focus on Mental & Physical Health
Kirsten admitted that stress may have contributed to her health problems and that staying in L.A. was no longer ideal for her well-being. She made it clear that leaving Los Angeles was necessary for her mental clarity, happiness, and healing.
“For my own personal reasons, no longer living in Los Angeles was very important to me... a lot of it was for my physical and mental health. And my overall happiness.”
Her Daughter Was a Major Factor
She mentioned her daughter, Harper, as one of the biggest reasons for the move.
Creative Recovery in Nashville
Since leaving L.A., Kirsten has been living in Nashville and working on a sweater crochet collab with her best friend and former GH co-star Emme Rylan. She described the project as healing and therapeutic—something that supports her mental health as she prepares for a coiling procedure to treat the aneurysm.
Will She Return to General Hospital?
Yes—Kirsten has said her leave is temporary, and she’s expected to return as Maxie Jones.
Photo is an ABC screenshot.