Amber's side of things!
It’s been a long, hard road for Amber Portwood to get where she is, and she’s had some very low points along the journey. She revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as borderline personality disorder, and her mental health problems might explain for some of these lows.
Amber was arrested on charges of domestic violence against her ex Gary Shirley as well as drug possession after she began abusing her prescription medication. She has since been released and just got out of a controlling relationship with Matt Baier, but more people have been touched by her struggles than just her and Gary. Throughout Amber’s difficult times, she was notably absent from her daughter Leah’s life, and some fans are upset with her for her approach to parenthood.
Now, Amber is speaking out about her absence from Leah’s life, coming back at fans who have accused her of being a deadbeat mother.
Credit: MTV
Dark Times
Credit: MTV
Right now, Amber Portwood has a lot to look forward to. She and her boyfriend Andrew Glennon are expecting a new addition to the Teen Mom family, and she seems thrilled with the news. She’s also out of her unhealthy relationship with Matt Baier, and fans are relieved that that chapter is behind her.
But Amber isn’t ready to leave everything in the past. She’s always made it clear just how important her daughter Leah is to her although she signed over custody to Gary following her arrest. Even so, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans Amber hasn’t always been the most reliable mother. Over the years, Gary and his wife Kristina have voiced how much they wish Amber would be more active in Leah’s life. They’re not the only people with this concern, though — many fans have expressed the same to Amber in much less kind ways.
Now, she’s standing by her choices.
Amber’s Explanation
Source: Instagram @realamberportwood1__
Amber was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder and was recently able to seek treatment and medication, but that can’t make up for the past. During the years while she was still struggling with her mental illness, her depression and interpersonal difficulties took a great toll on her life. Now, she’s explaining how it affected her relaitonship with Leah.
“To shame a mother for keeping a child happy and safe from [their] own depression is disturbing!” she blasted on Twitter. “And to think I have to explain myself for a horrible point in life is even more degrading!” She went on,
“I’m sick and tired of these comments about my daughter! Leah is my world and SHE knows it! That’s what matters! People go through horrible times when they split and I’m no exception! I was depressed and horribly sad so I did the best thing and made sure my daughter was protected!”
Although Amber’s reveal came across as very heartfelt, not all fans were buying it. Viewers on Reddit sounded off with their skepticism.
“Yet she was apparently well enough to start a new relationship. Okay Amber,” wrote user forgivedaddy. User chrissycakes8726 agreed, “Protecting Leah from her depression but has no problem bringing strange men she hardly knows around her daughter?? Gimme a break.”
Not Buying It
Source: Instagram @realamberportwood1__
User KeshaIsMyIdol had more to say. “I think it would different if Amber was legitimately debilitated by her depression, but we’ve seen her getting her nails done, getting ready to fly off to see Matt, getting eyelash extensions etc. I don’t like that she picks and chooses what she’s too depressed to do. She’s never made Leah a priority and I have no idea what she’s going to do with a newborn,” they wrote.
But user papier_peint had a theory of their own:
“I think that Leah triggers Amber’s anxiety because she knows she should be a better mom to Leah, and so Amber avoids her. When you’re depressed and have anxiety you know what you should be doing, and you know you’re not living up to expectations. It’s easier to do anything else than the thing you know you should do so you don’t face the fact that you’re failing. I think that she’s in a negative feedback loop of feeling bad that she isn’t a great mom to Leah. This doesn’t excuse her behavior, it’s just my small theory. I’m also very worried about baby Glennon. She’s not ready to be a full time mom.”
Amber recently revealed the gender of her baby with Andrew Glennon who just recently made his on-screen debut so fans can get to know him!
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