Kathryn C. Dennis Explains Why She Didn't Initially Open Up to the Southern Charm Crew About Her Mental Health
"I hope to show the people watching the show that anyone can struggle with depression," she shared.
Kathryn C. Dennis has exhibited amazing strength this season of Southern Charm as she seems to be living her best life ever, making a home with her kids, being on good terms with just about everyone in the group, and starting a new job at Gwynn's. However, Kathryn showed a vulnerable side to herself in the most recent episode of Southern Charm when she opened up to Danni Baird about her battle with depression and anxiety.
Much of the episode showed Kathryn's friends concerned about her well-being when she didn't return their phone calls or answer their knocks at her apartment door. Kathryn recently explained in an interview with The Inquisitr that, at the time, she felt she had been doing well with her depression and anxiety, so she had gone off her medication before the trip to Hilton Head Island. She also said the "stigma" surrounding anti-depressants was also a factor in her decision to quit taking her medication.
But after the drama of the trip and the recent passing of two of her grandparents, she needed some time alone before she faced the Charmers again. “There is so much stigma around mental health and specifically depression, and there shouldn’t be," Kathryn told The Inquisitr. "However, at the time, I needed to be alone with my thoughts and I didn’t know exactly how to broach that subject with my friends. I didn’t want them to judge me. I had been judged so much already.”
Kathryn explained why she hadn't previously opened up about what she was going through with her friends. “I certainly didn’t want anyone to worry and felt that if I told them I was even struggling in the slightest, I would just be a burden on my friends, but that’s the illness talking," she shared. "I didn’t think anyone would care.”
The Southern Charm mom told The Inquisitr that she's now "glad" that she shared her struggles with her friends. "I hope to show the people watching the show that anyone can struggle with depression or whatever it may be, and not be ashamed," Kathryn said.
Seeking help has allowed Kathryn to learn more about herself and move forward in her life. “I wanted to confront those issues and through therapy and going on medication for a while, I was able to pick myself up, dust myself off, and live my life despite ongoing challenges,” she shared.
Kathryn previously opened up about how much having her girlfriends by her side this season, particularly Danni, has meant to her as she gets her life back on track during the Southern Charm After Show (clip above). "Having this group of girls is the first time I've had a real group of friends that I felt like were a true support system in like five years," she said. "This is like me in a whole new place in life, being vulnerable to allowing any kind of person in my life. It's weird, but it's really, really nice when you get out of your comfort zone and do it."
Watch Kathryn open up more to Danni about her recent struggles with depression and anxiety, below.
