In a candid discussion on the November 1, 2023, episode of “The Interview” podcast from The New York Times, actress Jennifer Lawrence shared her personal experiences with postpartum depression following the birth of her children. Lawrence, 35, described the emotional complexities of motherhood, stating, “Having kids is sacrificial. It’s gratifying and it’s amazing and rewarding, but it’s not not sacrificial.” She elaborated on the struggle of wanting to maintain her career while prioritizing her family, admitting that it felt “vain and selfish” to pursue her acting aspirations.
Lawrence married art dealer Cooke Maroney in October 2019 and welcomed their first child, son Cy, in February 2022. The family grew again earlier this year with the arrival of their second child, details of whom they have yet to share publicly. Reflecting on her journey into motherhood, Lawrence noted that she initially believed her acting career would allow her to balance being a hands-on mom. “I thought being an actress is the perfect job for being a hands-on mom,” she said, but soon realized the reality was more challenging than she anticipated.
Struggles with Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts
Following the birth of her second child, Lawrence confronted significant anxiety and intrusive thoughts. “I felt like a tiger was chasing me every day. I had so much anxiety,” she explained. These feelings manifested in fears related to “picturing every worst-case scenario,” leading to self-doubt. To cope, she sought therapy and began taking the medication Zurzuvae, which she credited for providing relief. “I was already in therapy, but I got on a drug called Zurzuvae and I took it for two weeks and it really helped,” she said, while humorously adding, “So if anybody’s having postpartum: Zurzuvae. I’m not paid by them, but they could maybe throw me something.”
Lawrence’s experience with postpartum depression was not uniform. She described a more positive experience after the birth of Cy, recalling her immediate bond with him. “I didn’t struggle in the kind of classic postpartum way,” she said. However, with the arrival of her second child, she felt overwhelmed and found herself exploring darker themes in literature to process her feelings.
Art Reflecting Life: A New Role
During her conversation, Lawrence revealed that after the birth of Cy, acclaimed director Martin Scorsese approached her about starring in the film Die My Love, based on the novel by Ariana Harwicz. The story revolves around a young mother grappling with postpartum depression while her husband descends into psychosis. Lawrence expressed her connection to the material, stating, “I read it in one sitting. I was actually in a really good place in my postpartum journey.”
As she prepared for the role, Lawrence was pregnant with her second child, adding another layer of complexity to her performance. “It’s another thing that morphed for me and never really felt like one thing,” she noted, referring to the duality of her experiences as both an actress and a mother. She highlighted the profound conversations she had with a postpartum specialist, who informed her that suicide is a leading cause of death among mothers in their first year. This stark reality influenced the themes that the film explored, particularly regarding maternal mental health.
While Lawrence has faced a range of challenges during her journey into motherhood, her openness about postpartum depression aims to shed light on the struggles many women encounter. By sharing her story, Lawrence not only highlights her personal battles but also contributes to a broader conversation about mental health and the complexities of motherhood.