Hayden Panettiere Battles The Dark Reality Of Motherhood, Seeks Treatment For Postpartum Depression

By Staff Reporter

Oct 14, 2015 05:55 PM EDT

Moms all over the world can definitely sympathize with actress Hayden Panettiere as she admits to having postpartum depression (PPD) ten months into motherhood.

Panettiere gave birth to daughter Kaya Evodokia last December, her first child with fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, a professional boxer.

Panettiere's spokesperson told People that she "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."

PPD is not at all uncommon. CNN cited information from the "American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists" that read: "As many as one in seven women in the United States, or nearly 15% of new moms, is believed to suffer from some form of mental illness during or after pregnancy."

However, this should not be taken lightly as this kind of illness has every potential of becoming a serious anxiety disorder and may even lead to insanity.

Incidentally, Panettiere's character in the musical drama "Nashville" also struggles with the same problem. Just last month in the talk show "Live! with Kelly and Michael," the 26-year-old mom very openly talked about her condition to hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

"I can very much relate. It's something a lot of women experience," Mirror quoted.

She also added, "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. 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."

Celebrities often have the disadvantage of having every facet of their lives scrutinized. That is why we admire Hayden for being forthcoming about this personal issue, spreading awareness and inspiring women, especially new mothers, to be brave and seek help if needed.