Hayden Panetierre sought treatment for postpartum depression

Kudos to Hayden Panetierre for being willing to speak publicly about her struggles with postpartum depression. Though the stigma associated with receiving mental health services has decreased markedly in recent years, it still remains and it takes a certain dose of courage to be as open as she has been. Personally, she will always be Claire from Heroes for me and, despite being a mother in the decidedly sloppy reboot Heroes Reborn, she doesn’t seem old enough to even be a mom!

According to ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hayden-panettiere-happy-stand-women-postpartum-depression/story?id=36367730), the star of Nashville gave birth in December of 2014 and checked herself into an inpatient facility for treatment in October of last year.

The Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/basics/definition/con-20029130) lists the following symptoms for postpartum depression:

• Depressed mood or severe mood swings
• Excessive crying
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
• Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
• Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
• Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Intense irritability and anger
• Fear that you're not a good mother
• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

 
If left untreated, postpartum depression may linger and become worse. If you feel you are suffering from this illness, please speak to your doctor or contact a mental health provider.


Mike McMahan is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Antonio, Tx.