The Nashville actress and her 39-year-old champion boxer fiancé Wladimir Klitschko welcomed a baby daughter, Kaya, in December.
A representative for Hayden released a statement on her behalf to Us Weekly:
“Hayden Panettiere is voluntarily seeking professional help at a treatment center as she is currently battling postpartum depression. She asks that the media respect her privacy during this time,” the statement read.
The first-time mum has been vocal about battling postpartum depression, something she shares with her TV character.
New mum with baby Kaya
“I can very much relate. 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,” the 26-year-old, said during an appearance on Live! With Kelly and Michael last month.
“Some women do. But you don’t realize how broad of a spectrum you can really experience that on. It’s something that needs to be talked about. Women need to know that they’re not alone, and that it does heal.”
She continued, “There’s a lot of misunderstanding — 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.”
The Nashville actress and her 39-year-old champion boxer fiancé Wladimir Klitschko
“Women are amazing. We do something that no man can do on this planet. I mean, we grow a human being in our body!”
Last month, Hayden chatted to People about parenthood.
“[It’s] such a surreal experience and so out of body. You’re suddenly looking at this little thing like, ‘Oh, that was you in my belly this whole time,’” she said. “[We’re] just getting to know her.”
As for her personality, Kaya is “really so sweet,” adding, “I’m sure that’s the way it’s meant to be, because when they are putting you through the wringer you’re like, ‘You are so lucky you’re cute!’”
The actress recently shared a sweet photo on social media on Saturday, writing that she is “finally coming back in to my own body” since becoming a mum.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, there are a number places you can go for help.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline 1800 882 436
beyondblue justspeakup.com.au
Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA) www.panda.org.au
