Hayden Panettiere opens up about postpartum depression: “Something was terribly wrong”

The actress has spoken candidly for the first time about postnatal depression, recovery and the truth about her daughter living in Europe.

Jay Shetty’s On Purpose

Published: May 12, 2026 at 1:37 PM

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Hayden Panettiere has spoken in detail about her experience with postpartum depression, addiction and the custody arrangement involving her daughter.

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In a wide-ranging interview on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, the actress described how becoming a mother coincided with escalating anxiety, alcohol misuse and the pressures of filming a network television series.

She also addressed public misconceptions surrounding her daughter living primarily in Europe with her father, Wladimir Klitschko.

Her central message was direct: postpartum depression is real, it is misunderstood, and it requires medical recognition.

Recognising postpartum depression

Panettiere said she had always wanted to become a mother and had positive expectations about early motherhood. However, shortly after her daughter was born, she experienced symptoms she could not initially explain.

I had my daughter, and I knew something was just terribly, terribly wrong

Hayden Panettiere on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast

She clarified that she did not feel hostility toward her child, but experienced persistent anxiety, emotional distress and difficulty connecting in the way she expected.

“I wasn’t connecting with her the way that I knew I should be… I was miserable. I was in tears all the time.”

According to the NHS, postnatal depression affects more than 1 in 10 women within the first year after birth. It can develop gradually or suddenly and may include:

It differs from the “baby blues”, which typically resolve within two weeks after birth.

Panettiere said she had not previously heard postpartum depression openly discussed among women in her life.

“I’d never heard it spoken about,” she said.

She explained that it took months before she identified postpartum depression as a central factor in her symptoms.

Anxiety and alcohol use

During the same period, Panettiere described escalating anxiety, including panic attacks that interfered with daily functioning.

“What were good nerves… turned into genuine anxiety that made me incapable of functioning properly or thinking clearly,” she said.

She began using alcohol to manage symptoms.

“I was self-medicating and looking for relief at the bottom of a bottle,” she said.

Medical guidance warns that alcohol may temporarily reduce anxiety but can worsen depression over time. Untreated postnatal depression can increase the risk of substance misuse, and substance misuse can intensify mood instability.

Panettiere sought treatment during production breaks from Nashville. She said the initial focus was on alcoholism.

They were treating me for alcoholism and nobody ever said anything about postpartum depression

Hayden Panettiere on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast

Treatment for postnatal depression typically includes GP assessment, referral to specialist perinatal mental health services, psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and in some cases antidepressant medication considered compatible with breastfeeding.

Filming while struggling

At the same time as her postpartum experience, Panettiere was filming Nashville, where her character’s storylines included addiction and postpartum depression.

“I was suffering from debilitating anxiety and an addiction I couldn’t shake, and I had to live through it twice,” she said.

She described working long production schedules while managing symptoms privately. Sustained stress, sleep deprivation and limited recovery time can worsen perinatal mental health conditions.

Custody and co-parenting context

Panettiere also addressed public discussion about her daughter living primarily in Europe with her father.

The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking. Couldn’t be further from the truth

Hayden Panettiere on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast

At the time the custody arrangement shifted, she said she was continuing to manage mental health challenges and substance misuse. She had also been working extended filming schedules in the United States, while Klitschko was based in Europe.

International co-parenting arrangements are often shaped by practical considerations, including:

Panettiere said her daughter had already spent significant time in Europe due to both parents’ work commitments and had established routine and relationships there.

When Klitschko proposed that their daughter live primarily in Europe, Panettiere said her initial reaction was strongly opposed.

“I went like mother lion,” she said.

However, she later concluded that maintaining her daughter’s existing stability was appropriate while she continued treatment and recovery.

She said she maintains frequent contact, travels to see her daughter and has an ongoing co-parenting relationship with Klitschko.

“She knows that she’s got two parents that love her,” Panettiere said.

Addressing stigma

When asked what she wants people to understand about postpartum depression, Panettiere was direct.

“That it’s real,” she said. “We don’t have control over this.”

Postnatal depression is recognised as a medical condition influenced by hormonal changes, psychological vulnerability, sleep disruption and environmental stressors. Early identification and treatment significantly improve outcomes for both parent and child.

Health professionals advise that anyone experiencing persistent low mood, anxiety, intrusive thoughts or difficulty bonding after birth should speak to a GP, health visitor or midwife. Urgent help is recommended if symptoms include thoughts of self-harm or inability to care for oneself or the baby.

Panettiere said her decision to speak openly is intended to reduce misinformation and encourage awareness.

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“I just wanted to help people… to know that it’s possible. It can be done,” she said.

If you need support

If you think you may be experiencing postnatal depression or are struggling with your mental health after having a baby, you are not alone and support is available. In the UK, you can:

You can also contact:

Postnatal depression is a recognised medical condition. Early support and treatment can make a significant difference for both parent and baby.

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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