Hayden Panettiere Discusses Mental Health Struggles and Personal Growth Ahead of Memoir Release

Confronting Challenges in the Spotlight

Hayden Panettiere, the former child star known for her role in “Remember the Titans,” has openly shared the difficulties she has faced throughout her career. These include battles with opioid addiction and postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, who is now 11 years old. Kaya is the child of Panettiere and her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko.

In light of the recent death of her brother, Jansen Panettiere, due to an undiagnosed heart condition in 2023, she has also dealt with significant grief.

Prioritizing Mental Health

Ahead of the May release of her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” Panettiere emphasized the importance of prioritizing her mental health in recent years. In an interview with E! News, she stated, “I do have a great therapist, but always checking in with myself, being self-aware, being surrounded by healthy people who bring out the best in me.”

She further elaborated on her efforts to stay in touch with her feelings and implement personal boundaries, moving away from always trying to please others. “Just trying to keep in touch with myself and what’s going on, and then setting personal boundaries, not being a yes person all the time,” she explained.

Panettiere also described her empathetic nature, noting, “I’m an empath, so if I make somebody feel uncomfortable or disappointed or upset, I feel it myself, so I don’t want to let anybody down. But now I’m putting up more personal boundaries.”
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Eonline