Those who watch Teen Mom OG online witnessed Farrah going off on her boyfriend this week, along with Maci going wedding gown shopping.
But they also witnessed something very sad and very personal:
Catelynn Lowell admitted she needed to seek “extra help” for her ongoing battle with anxiety.
What prompted this decision?
Shortly after the latest installment of this reality series aired, Lowell sat down to discuss her issues with MTV News.
“I decided I needed to get help from talking with [my husband], Tyler, and realizing that I maybe needed something more intense for myself,” explained the 24-year old.
Loyal Teen Mom viewers are well aware that Catelynn has battled anxiety and depression for years now.
It’s been one of the more dramatic storylines on the program.
“For some reason, I just had a lightbulb moment where I was like, ‘Maybe I need extra help,"” Lowell says in the following clip.
On this past Monday night’s episode, the Michigan native hit a tipping point after she bought a $ 3,000 miniature pig… much to Tyler’s surprise and dismay.
As Catelynn said to an MTV producer named Jessica on air, the new responsibility of caring for the small farm animal sent her over the edge.
She really should not have made the purchase.
“I just feel like I need help. ‘Cause I wasn’t really feeling good this morning, and I was having a little bit of anxiety last night,” Lowell said on the program, prior to detailig how her husband was concerned about her.
“I just broke down and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m not OK … I do need mental help, something’s just not right,"” she said.
In March of this year, Lowell entered rehab in Arizona to focus on her mental health.
“I went for just mental illness, panic attacks and depression and I was there for 30 days,” she told OK! Magazine in the spring, adding:
“It went well, they taught me lots of different things, I learned lots of good things.”
But she knew it didn’t mean she was just instantly all better or anything.
“Obviously it was going to be a work in progress, but as of now, things are going really good,” she said.
“I think the plus of me being so open and honest about it is it shows the truth of what it looks like to struggle with postpartum depression, and not even just postpartum depression, but also depression and panic attack disorder which I have.”
Catelynn added on Monday’s episode that she also plans to “quit smoking pot.”
The mother of two (one of whom she gave up for adoption) has kept fans apprised of her progress and her status throughout her journey.
“Just wanted to know I’m doing great! Best decision I have ever made for myself,” she tweeted in April of her first rehab stint. “I’ll b home soon #thankyouforyoursupport.”
It’s unclear at the moment just how or where she’ll seek the extra assistance she admits she now needs.
But we wish her the best.
Owning up to one’s problem is an important first step. Let’s all hope Catelynn takes many more soon on her way to better mental health.
