Summer House star KJ Dillard emotionally revealed he was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder after filming his first season.
“In the fall, I went through some heavy stuff mentally,” KJ, 29, told host Andy Cohen during part one of the Bravo reality show’s season 10 reunion, which aired on Tuesday, May 26. “I actually had to go to the hospital for self-harm, and I was there for a week.”
KJ choked up as he shared that his costars Ciara Miller and Mia Calabrese visited him in the hospital “almost every day.” He then spent “a few months” in recovery.
“I got to focus on myself, and I needed that because I think my whole life I distracted myself and ran away from my issues instead of facing them head-on, but now I’m better,” he said. “I’m in therapy, and I’m on medication. I got diagnosed with BPD while I was in the hospital.”
The National Institute of Mental Health defines borderline personality disorder as a “serious mental illness that affects how a person feels about themselves and others and makes it hard to function in everyday life.” Symptoms include intense mood swings and feelings of anger, abandonment and alienation. It is primarily treated through psychotherapy, which is also known as talk therapy.
KJ added that he is “grateful” to be “alive ’cause I could’ve not been.” He also gave shout-outs to his “friends” and viewers for lifting him up when he was down.
“Everyone here has somewhat shown support in their own way, so I appreciate that,” he said of his castmates. “And I’m very thankful that the audience is just embracing that because it’s my truth, you know, and I’m not gonna not be honest about what I go through, especially if it can help others.”
After the revelation, Andy, 57, pointed out that KJ’s costar Jesse Solomon had started to tear up.
“It’s a moving story,” Jesse, 33, replied before turning to KJ and saying, “I feel for you, and I’m glad you’re good ’cause I don’t want anybody to go through that, so I’m happy he’s feeling better.”
Cast member Carl Radke then assured KJ, “You’re gonna keep doing great stuff, man.”
Summer House airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and streams on Peacock the next day.
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