Hayden Panettiere Gets Help For Postpartum Depression: ‘Nashville’ Star Raises Awareness Of Symptoms & Treatment
Hayden Panettiere has revealed that she is battling postpartum depression. And to get help, Hayden has decided to go to a treatment center, where Panettiere hopes to find relief from the shadow cast over her joy from her baby, reported Today.
When Hayden had her little girl, Kara, in December, Panettiere made the announcement about her first baby happily. But at 26, the actress famed for Nashville now is revealing that she has been in emotional pain from postpartum depression.
The symptoms of this condition, which typically include anxiety, sorrow, tears, feeling helpless, and overall depression, happen during the first year after the baby is born. An estimated one in seven new moms struggle, like Hayden, with postpartum depression.
NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar revealed that Panettiere is not alone in experiencing the condition weeks after the baby is born.
“It can happen any time really in the first year,” explained Azar.
The difference between the “baby blues” and postpartum depression concerns how long it lasts and the intensity of the symptoms. While many women feel somewhat low after the baby is born, with symptoms including anxiety or irritability, that usually only lingers two weeks.
“[Call your doctor] if it lasts for longer than two weeks and/or the symptoms become more severe, you’re having difficulty with sleeping, feeling helpless, feeling hopeless, feelings of guilt,” said Azar.
The symptoms, which can range from anger to appetite changes and excessive worry, can be made worse by lack of sleep. If the new mother feels that she’s having problems bonding with her baby or taking care of herself, it’s time to get help, say experts.
Hayden previously talked about postpartum depression. Panettiere expressed her view that many lack empathy because they feel to comprehend the severity of the condition.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding,” Hayden said during an appearance on Live! With Kelly and Michael. “There’s a lot of people out there that think that it’s not real, that it’s not true, that it’s something that’s made up in their minds, that ‘Oh, it’s hormones.’ They brush it off. It’s something that’s completely uncontrollable. It’s really painful and it’s really scary and women need a lot of support.”
Panettiere joins Gwyneth Paltrow and Brooke Shields on the list of celebrities talking about their experiences with postpartum depression.
Hayden made the decision to enter the treatment voluntarily, and Panettiere has not hesitated to discuss her condition, reported People.
“[Hayden] is voluntarily seeking professional help at a treatment center as she is currently battling postpartum depression,” said her spokesperson.
Kaya Evodokia is now 10-months-old. Panettiere is engaged to the baby’s daddy, Wladimir Klitschk, who is a professional boxer.
When Hayden was visiting Kelly Ripa’s talk show to talk about her role on Nashville, she discussed the fact that the character she plays of Juliette Barnes also struggled with PPD.
“I can very much relate,” admitted Panettiere. “It’s something a lot of women experience. When [you’re told] about postpartum depression you think it’s ‘I feel negative feelings towards my child, I want to injure or hurt my child’ — I’ve never, ever had those feelings. Some women do… It’s something that needs to be talked about. Women need to know that they’re not alone, and that it does heal.”
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Hayden has played the role of Juliette Barnes on Nashville since 2012, and the production is working around the need Panettiere expressed for treatment, reported TV Line.
It’s not yet known for the role of Juliette will be removed temporarily or if the filming needed for the scenes in which Hayden stars will be delayed until she comes back.
“It’s a fluid situation,” said an insider. “But production continues.”
However, Us Weekly reported that Panettiere has taken medical leave from Nashville.
[Photo by Mike Windle / Getty Images]
