Kaitlyn Bristowe.Photo: kaitlyn bristowe/ instagram
Kaitlyn Bristowerevealed that she deals with depression and panic attacks that crop up when she’s on her period, and she’s hoping that she’s not alone.
The formerBachelorette, 36, decided to “have a little unfiltered moment and talk mental health” onher Instagram pageafter having a tough day.
“I wanted to take a break from my glam shots, filtered photos, trips and my tour, to let you know I also struggle with mental health,” Bristowe wrote.
TheDancing with the Starschampion said that she often has hormonal depression, also referred to as menstrually-related mood disorders.According to UNC Health, “menopause and cycles of menstruation are time of intense hormonal fluctuation that can cause increased vulnerability to depression.”
“Today I am struggling and it’s NO surprise that I’m on my period,” she said. “I have hormonal depression like a MF. It puts my relationship through hard times, it puts me in shameful spirals, and I just sat on a 5 hour flight talking myself out of a panic attack.”
Bristowe said that she loves that she gets to “live a life full of adventure,” but there are days where it takes a toll.
“Hormones are the devil and they are stronger than me,” she said. “I just wanna crawl into my own bed and cry today. But I have no time.”
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Bristowe asked her followers if they, too, deal with depression around their menstrual cycle.
The reality star frequently shares her experiences with mental health on social media, and said in 2020 that before going onThe Bachelor,she battled an addiction to Valium. Bristowe is no longer on Valium and now has a few coping mechanisms to manage her anxiety.
Talking about one anxiety attack in Nov. 2019, Bristowe said that it “left me laying on the floor this one night in my house, not wanting to even talk to Jason until it passed. I felt my anxiety coming on — immediately went looking for my dog, Ramen, who is really the only one that keeps me calm when I experience being close to a panic attack and when I feel that pain or heat in my chest.”
She also likes “essential oils, reading good news and calm music” to help her get through anxiety, Bristowe said in April.
source: people.com
