Hayden Panettiere Checks Into Treatment Facility For Postpartum Depression

Hayden Panettiere has checked into a treatment facility to help her deal with postpartum depression following the birth of her child with husband Wladimir Klitschko.

Hayden Panettiere’s Postpartum Depression

A spokesperson for Panettiere revealed that the Nashville star has opted to receive professional help for postpartum depression in a statement Tuesday. “Hayden Panettiere is voluntarily seeking professional help at a treatment center as she is currently battling postpartum depression,” reads the statement obtained by Us Weekly. “She asks that the media respect her privacy during this time.”

Late last month, Panettiere opened up about her struggle with postpartum depression after giving birth to her daughter Kaya during an appearance on Live! With Kelly and Michael. Discussing her Nashville character Juliette Barnes’ struggle with postpartum depression, she revealed that she could relate.

“I can very much relate. It’s something a lot of women experience. When [you are 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,” Panettiere told hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan. “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.”

Panettiere went on to discuss the stigma that still surrounds postpartum depression and those who have to battle against it after giving birth.

“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,’ ” said the actress. “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, who hopes to add three more to her brood with heavyweight champion Klitschko, gave birth to Kaya in December 2014.