Academy Award winning actress Reese Witherspoon talks for the first time about her separation from husband Ryan Philippe, confessing it gave her moments of panic.

When Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe announced their impending divorce last year, it was the end of one of Hollywood’s exceptions from the rule. The two had been happily married for seven years and had two beautiful children. All seemed stable and sane in their family.

Neither Reese nor Ryan commented on the break-up, despite rumors of infidelity on Ryan’s part, both remaining discreet.

Now, Reese tells Elle Magazine that the separation was a difficult and frightening experience for her.

“Right around Christmas-time I was sitting in a parking lot and I felt like I just couldn't get out of the car,” the Oscar winner says. “It was like, I can't get out of the car. And I thought, Okay, half of the parking lot has dealt with this. More than half of the parking lot has dealt with this.

“Okay, let's make it a little bigger. Half of this city has dealt with this. Okay, let's make it a little bigger - half of this country, until I finally got out of the car. It was like, it's okay.”

She finally says of her epiphany: “It was this moment of self-discovery and loss of identity and who was stepping out of the car - you know? Who is that person?”

The 31-year-old Reese and Ryan Philippe, 32, have two children together, Ava, 7 and Deacon, 3.

There have been rumors of a relationship between Ryan and Australian actress Abbie Cornish, 25, whom he met while filming the drama “Stop Loss.”

Reese herself has been linked to her “Rendition” co-star Jake Gyllenhaal. Her supposed relationship to the 26-year-old actor drew media attention. Referring to the paparazzi’s interest in her, Reese told Elle:

“It's one thing if you're up for it and you want it, and you go out without your panties on. But if you're wearing panties - gosh darn it, leave me alone!”

The actress showed her humorous side as well, by sharing her favorite joke: “Why do southern women make bad prostitutes? Because we have to write so many thank-you notes!”