Hayden Panettiere talks sobriety, domestic violence and post partum depression

[__onthebound]

Hayden Panettiere opens up about her battle with addiction: “I was on top of the world. I ruined it. I'd think I hit rock bottom but then there's a trap door that opens."

Since then she underwent therapy & treatment: “I feel like I have a second chance.”https://t.co/rstjt75u5X pic.twitter.com/bMhwNUQGbd
- Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 6, 2022

Comments

[ladychips]

i understand the need for brutal honesty with oneself when you're going through this fight, but her comments about having no emotional connection to her daughter and not wanting to be a part of her life is going to be a really tough thing for her to read when she's older. especially since its being published to the world instead of being kept between them.

[mayjailer]

i'm sure that as her daughter grows older, they will have conversations about that period of their lives together and apart. for now, i think it's incredibly brave of hayden to talk about the dark places postpartum depression can take a person.

[evilgerbil]

I experienced that for a few weeks after my daughter was born. I knew something was wrong because my husband kept saying his happy he was and how much he loved her, and I felt... nothing. Thankfully that part wore off. I still have PPD but I love her to pieces. I was just really ill and traumatized.

[touchedarling]

It took me 2.5 years to even like my second child, let alone love her. If I’d heard women talk like this in the months after giving birth it might have given me the courage to seek help about how I was feeling instead of feeling deeply ashamed. Women need to have these kind of honest conversations with their daughters, and Hayden may already have broached this subject with hers. I love both of my children dearly but I will always feel guilty and sad that it took me so long to make a connection to my second.

[jadedsapphire27]

That sort of thing is not uncommon even in parents who aren't experiencing post-partum. We need to to talk about it MORE and normalize it as something that both isn't unusual and can be worked on. That will make it easier for everyone to deal with, including the children it affects.

[ahkna]

I actually think that it's fairly easy to explain to a child. Hayden had an illness that prevented her from connecting in the way she should but she still ensured that her daughter had all the love and care she needed.

[likeiused2]

speaking honestly and frankly about postpartum depression is very important imo. women should feel like they can speak freely about it without feeling they're a bad person/mother, and so many hide their feelings because they are ashamed of it. I think her daughter will understand, and I'm glad she was brave enough to talk about it.

[theactualworst]

I think at a time where forced birth is a reality in America it’s good that she being open about it. Even if you want kids it’s not easy and there are no guarantees it will workout the way you imagine. I’m sure she and her ex will be able to have honest and constructive conversations with her daughter as she gets older.

[the_pinkdress]

I agree with others’ replies, but I also agree with you in that children’s feelings need to be protected especially as they are minors, and sometimes we overestimate children’s capacity to accept things because of our ability as adults to understand a situation. I fully agree with speaking more openly about these things but I also think that sometimes parents continue to prioritize their own feelings and need to ‘be open’ over their children. I’m not saying this about Hayden’s situation, just more broadly.

[azaelers]

In an ideal world, children wouldn’t come across these comments until they were at least 18 and (hopefully) already had that discussion and understanding with their parents.

But we live in hell so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[aleksie]

As someone who is transracially adopted, people are really fucking insensitive towards children and what they go through in challenging situations.

I wouldn't put it past grown adults to ask this kid inappropriate questions.

[stoppelhopser]

I feel that she made such a brave and ultimative loving decision when she gave her daughter to her ex, knowing that she won't give her the love and care she needed. I applaud her and I'm glad that she's talking about it, maybe it will help other mothers to find a way out of a situation like hers. Her daughter will be fine when she explains it to her.

[lurkurheartout]

I would rather have a parent that was brutally honest about something than danced around the truth. It sucks when you’re younger but when your older I feel like you appreciate it more.

[theactualworst]

I agree. Kids are perceptive and can still tell when something is wrong. It’s scarier to be left in the dark. Ultimately her kid being in a safe and loving place is the most important thing.

[ahkna]

I actually think that it's fairly easy to explain to a child. Hayden had an illness that prevented her from connecting in the way she should but she still ensured that her daughter had all the love and care she needed.

[sudols]

No, we need to have candid and frank discussions about this. Other women need to know that the Instagram fantasy of instantly bonding with your baby and bouncing back doesn't always happen, and you're not evil for not bonding with your child. When it comes to her own daughter, I'm sure they will have a conversation, and it will be good for her mom being open in case she too has the same issues.

(I did not bond with my daughter due to birth trauma and PPD, and thought I was evil or something was wrong with me)