Hayden Panettiere Talks Postnatal Depression: “I Was Tired Of Being Afraid”

Nashville star?Hayden Panettiere’says she feels unafraid for the first time in her life. Following her openness about?her decision to receive treatment for postnatal depression, the young actress has been praised for her candidness on the topic and her need to give hope to mothers going through similar experiences.

I finally just went, I’m tired of living afraid. I’m tired of living in fear of what people are going to think, so, you know, I’m just going to put it all out there on the table and I’m not going to worry about the judgment.

After taking time off work to deal with the condition, Panettiere returned to work at the beginning of the year. And in?a bizarre coincidence, her character on Nashville is also suffering from postnatal depression.?It was strange having to throw myself back into that frame of mind,” she said. She spoke about this in a new interview and more in-depth about the stigma that those suffering the condition can be subjected to.

She has strong words for anyone critical of those who are suffering, especially those who deem?the disease “not real.” ?It’s like you have no idea what you’re talking about,? she told Yahoo Style. ?If you think for one second that a mother wants to feel that way toward her child, you’re outta your mind. It is one of the most debilitating, scary, guilty feelings that you can ever feel. 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.?

The 26-year-old, who stars as Juliette Barnes in the acclaimed series, gave birth to a daughter?with fianc? Wladimir Klitschko, called Kaya, in December 2014 and began receiving treatment in October 2015.

Her outlook on life has changed drastically since her treatment, and now the critics are the least of her worries. ?I’m 26 years old. I’m a mom. I don’t need to be afraid of what people are going to think. I saw how much people rallied behind me when I was honest, and I didn’t know that honesty could be such a gift.?

Nowadays, thankfully more public figures are bringing the conversation into the mainstream again; fellow actress Drew Barrymore also spoke of going through a similar situation last year.?

“The only important thing to me is that I’m not causing myself pain and discomfort anymore, and I can be a strong woman for my daughter to look up to,? she added.

?I’m really happy that I can stand up for the women who are out there suffering from this and let them know it’s okay. They’re not alone.”

She is a pretty inspirational woman.

Via Yahoo Style

If you have been affected by any of the above content, please see PND.ie or contact your GP.?