Pakistani actress Aymen Saleem has spoken candidly about her emotional and physical challenges after becoming a mother, shedding light on postpartum depression, identity loss, and the often-unspoken struggles women face after childbirth.
In a recent interview, she revealed that she stepped away from acting after the birth of her son, Kayhan, explaining that her focus during pregnancy and early motherhood was entirely on adjusting to major emotional and physical changes rather than returning to work.
Aymen Saleem shared that although her son is now one year old, the early months of motherhood were overwhelming, marked by emotional shifts, hormonal changes, and the difficulty of adapting to a completely new phase of life.
She described postpartum depression as more than just stress or exhaustion, emphasizing that it involves deeper emotional struggles such as isolation, changes in body image, and a loss of personal identity.
“When I’m at home feeding my son or playing with him, there are moments when I suddenly start crying because I’m going through postpartum,” she said, highlighting the emotional intensity of the experience.
The actress further explained that motherhood is often idealized in society, while the real mental health challenges mothers face are frequently overlooked or minimized. She noted that many women experience a sense of detachment from their previous identities while trying to adjust to new responsibilities.
Aymen Saleem also stressed the importance of stronger emotional and psychological support systems for new mothers, stating that the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” should also apply to caring for the mother’s mental well-being.
She added that postpartum depression involves one of the most significant hormonal shifts in the human body and questioned why it is not treated with the same seriousness as other medical conditions. Her comments also sparked discussion about how society often underestimates women’s mental health after childbirth.
The actress pointed out that if men experienced similar hormonal changes, the issue would likely receive far more immediate medical attention and concern.
Her honest reflections quickly resonated with audiences online, with many social media users praising her for openly discussing a topic that is often kept private or ignored in public discourse.
The conversation has contributed to growing awareness about postpartum mental health in Pakistan, where discussions around maternal well-being are still limited despite affecting a large number of women.
