Hayden Panettiere is taking medical leave from her ABC series Nashville as she seeks treatment for postpartum depression, Us Weekly can confirm.
Us confirmed on Tuesday that the actress, 26, checked into a facility. “Hayden Panettiere is voluntarily seeking professional help at a treatment center as she is currently battling postpartum depression,” her rep told Us in a statement at the time. “She asks that the media respect her privacy during this time.”
Panettiere and her fiancé, boxer Wladimir Klitschko, welcomed their daughter, Kaya, in December 2014. The star’s pregnancy was written into the series last season.
The former child star has played Juliette Barnes on Nashville since the ABC show’s debut in 2009. Her country superstar alter ego recently welcomed a baby girl and is also battling postpartum depression. On the series, Juliette was last seen on tour with fellow singer Luke Wheeler, played by Will Chase. An insider tells Us that production is adapting to Panettiere’s absence.
Last month, Panettiere opened up about her experience with the mood disorder during an appearance on Live! with Kelly and Michael.
“It’s something a lot of women experience. When [you’re told] about postpartum depression you think it’s ‘I feel negative feelings towards my child, I want to injure or hurt my child.’ I’ve never, ever had those feelings,” she said on Sept. 28. “Some women do. But you don’t realize how broad of a spectrum you can really experience that on. It’s something that needs to be talked about. Women need to know that they’re not alone, and that it does heal.”
Nashville airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
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