Hayden Panettiere has reportedly sought professional help to address her post-partum depression 10 months after giving birth to her first baby with fiance, world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
"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 actress' rep told Us Weekly.
Daily Mail recounted that Hayden Panettiere once said she related to her "Nashville" character Juliette Barnes who also had post-partum depression.
"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,'" the actress previously said in "Live! With Kelly and Michael" in September.
"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."
As of the moment, the "Nashville" star's fiance is yet to issue a statement about Hayden battling post-partum depression.
A lot of new fathers in the same situation of Hayden's fiance may be clueless about what to so when their partner or the mother of their child is manifesting symptoms of post-partum depression.
According to award-winning advocate for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders Katherine Stone, it is important for fathers to help their partners overcome post-partum depression.
"Many people feel nervous about treatment methods like psychiatric medication or psychotherapy, mainly because they don't know much about them," Stone wrote in an article for PBS.
"...Go with her to the doctor. Learn what the treatment options are, what the risks and benefits are, and what may be helpful to her based on her own unique situation and history. Support whatever decision is made. And if one treatment method doesn't work, be open to others and encourage her not to give up."
Hayden Panettiere and her fiance got engaged in 2013.
