Image Source: Bustle, The Teal Mango
The Bachelor Nation alum, Demi Burnett is opening up about her autism diagnosis.
American television personality, Demi Burnett who appeared on the 23rd season of The Bachelor in 2019 (Colton Underwood’s season) recently revealed that after undergoing a psychological test, she has been diagnosed as autistic. She took to her social media to share the news on Saturday with a trigger warning just in case.
Demi captioned the picture, “I did a psychological evaluation and I’m autistic. There is a huge stigma when it comes to autism. I encourage you to be open-minded and accepting. Swipe for some “memes” that might be helpful when dealing with an autistic person. All I want is to have a better quality of life. I will share more on my story of my evaluation and how I got to this point and all of my pain and struggles along the way. I want to make sure anyone who is/was feeling like me can know you really aren’t alone. It can get better! And most importantly it isn’t your fault.” The TV personality shared a series of images that showcased how to support a neuro-divergent person.
Demi Burnett hinted about going through a hard time in context of her mental health in January and shared via social media, “This is gunna be the hardest thing to ever post and I’m so embarrassed but imma be real. My ego is livid. Happy New Year this is me 24/7 I’m not doing anything to envy I’m not ‘happy,’ I’m not social. I’m constantly thinking and crying and trying to figure everything out.” The Big Demi Energy podcast host further added, “Countless hours blaming myself for everything that’s caused pain. I haven’t had a sip of alcohol in 5 months. I’m talking to a psychiatrist on Monday. I’m having an emotional breakdown every few hours. I’m feeling pretty s—t/overwhelmed most of the time. BUT I KNOW I AM GROWING EVEN IF IT HURTS IT IS WORTH IT.”
Demi Burnett also shared that people have urged and advised her to go out and meet new people but she always found her solace by herself and added, "This version of me (the one who stays in and avoids people) is who I have suppressed my entire life. I find comfort in exploring my head so much that it's my preference to be alone. I can only ever truly be myself when I am alone. No more camouflage." She later updated her fans and followers about her mental health stating that she is doing much better after getting professional help. Demi wrote at that time, "I have wonderful people close to me during this self healing. It's so important to have people to tell your thoughts to. Your therapist and someone you trust. I have to remind myself it's okay to ask the appropriate people for help. And sometimes it's appropriate to ask your friend to help you think about mango sorbet on a beach instead of all of your worries.”
As soon as she posted about her diagnosis, fellow Bachelor Nation member, Onyeka Ehie commented on her post, “So proud of you always being so brave and strong. A real ass person and that’s why I love you.” Another member Kirpa Sudick also showcased her support for Demi as she wrote, “Proud of you girl.” Maurissa Gunn who was Demi’s co-star in Bachelor in Paradise season seven also commented on her post, "I love you so much. I'm so proud of you. You're the most amazing person ever." Cassie Randolph also wrote on Demi’s post, "Love u, how open and candid you are is so inspiring.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Autism spectrum disorder is “a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges."
Demi Burnett was engaged to Kristian Haggerty and the two of them became the first same-sex couple to get engaged on Bachelor in Paradise but unfortunately, the couple decided to go their separate ways in 2019 October and now have moved on with Demi dating musician Slater Davis while Kristian Haggerty dating Taylor Blake. Demi explained about their decision to break up during an episode of the podcast in 2020, “Kristian is very, very loving and she’s the best girlfriend, the best partner to be with. She would do anything for you, and I didn’t reciprocate that. I wasn’t as good to her as she was to me. I was kind of distant. I was overwhelmed, I was freaked out. She was so in it and she was so good to me, and that would make me feel guilty. I wanted to be with her more than anything and I kept trying and I kept trying, and I just wasn’t feeling it anymore.”
Demi Burnett, although moved on shared in 2020 that she feels terrible about the way things ended with Kristian and added, “I wish I could go back and do it better. Treat her way better. Like she deserves because she deserves way better than what I gave her. She’s in a new relationship now and she looks so happy, and so that makes me very happy. I just feel really bad that I was the person I had become in the relationship, you know?”
Sending love and support to Demi Burnett!
