Hayden Panettiere Returns to Red Carpet and Speaks Openly About Postpartum Depression

Hayden Panettiere bravely returned to the red carpet and spoke openly about her experience with postpartum. After the birth of her daughter, Kaya, Hayden entered a treatment center in October to help her with her struggle. Panettiere returned to the public eye during the Critics’ Choice Awards and spoke about her choices and experience.

Related: Hayden Panettiere Seeks Treatment For Postpartum Depression

“It made my life better,” Hayden shared with ET when talking about being open about her postpartum. “I do feel and hope it’s made other people’s lives better and more of an understanding because postpartum depression was not something that I ever understood. You could never understand it unless you have a personal involvement with it. I didn’t realize how much of a stigma it had about it.”

The ‘Nashville’ starlet also told People, “It feels different for me because of things that I’ve gone through recently, over the last year. I’ve really gone, ‘You know what, I’ve been in this industry for so long, forget it!’ I’ve been hiding myself. Just putting out the smiling face, showing people this, and allowing that veil to come down — it’s like a weight off my shoulders.”

Related: Hayden Panettiere: Motherhood is the Most Out of Body Experience

Well said! Hayden Panettiere is definitely not alone in her struggles after having a baby. The Hollywood veteran emphasized, “I want to put out a good example for my daughter and tell her that she could be anyone she wants to be, she does not have to be afraid that somebody’s not going to like it because no matter what you do, there’s always going to be somebody who doesn’t like it,” Panettiere revealed. “I was floored by the positive response and really happy I could stand up for the women who are out there suffering from this and let them know it’s OK, they’re not alone. It doesn’t mean they’re weak. It doesn’t mean they’re a bad mom,” she underlined. “It doesn’t mean they’re strange and that they could get help if they need it.”

What a wonderful attitude and view to take after going through a major mommy challenge. What are your experiences with post-baby trials? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Images Via Fame/Flynet