Hayden Panettiere Bravely Reveals She's Seeking Treatment For PPD A Second Time
Hayden Panettiere says she’s returning to treatment for ongoing PPD
Hayden Panettiere has long been an advocate for women suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD) and encouraged moms to ask for the help they need. Now, for a second time, the actress is taking her own advice and seeking treatment for depressive symptoms she just can’t seem to beat.
Yesterday, Panettiere announced her decision to return to treatment with a raw and honest tweet that explained how depression has “impacted every aspect” of her life. “Rather than stay stuck due to unhealthy coping mechanisms, I have chosen to take time to reflect holistically on my health and life,” she wrote. “Wish me luck!”
Panettiere, who gave birth to daughter Kaya in 2014, first entered treatment for PPD last October. Since then, she’s been extremely vocal about what depression is and what kind of support women need. She also took a bold stance against people who try to stigmatize PPD, telling Yahoo, “That a mother would not be able to connect with their child, would not be able to get a grip, or would not know what’s going on, for anybody to say that it’s false or created by us, you must have your head examined.”
People tend to associate PPD only with brand new moms, and that’s why it’s once again really important that Panettiere is speaking out about her symptoms. According to a study published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry, moms can develop PPD up to one year after giving birth, and of the moms who do, 30 percent report still struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety as many as three years later. Treatment for PPD is not a one-and-done deal; it’s an ongoing battle.
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If you’ve never been through PPD, it might be difficult to understand why Panettiere is so insistent on sharing her story and the details of her treatment with the world. But for women like me who’ve been there, it’s a helpful and much-needed reminder that we’re not alone and that we have no reason to feel ashamed. Whether you keep up with celebrity news or totally dismiss it, sometimes famous people really do use their platforms for good, and this is one of those instances.
PPD is a lonely, difficult illness from which it can take so long to recover. Being open about our struggles might not eliminate them completely, but it takes away the sting of isolation and helps create a world where it’s okay to ask for help — as many times as you need to.
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