Milania Giudice is opening up about her mental health amid recent public struggles.
"Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice's 20-year-old daughter took to her social media Monday, Oct. 12, to share that she is in treatment as she navigates what she called "the worst time in my life." She also said she is diagnosed with multiple mental health conditions.
"Since I was a little kid, I told my family and my parents that I want to help people in life, and that is what I want to do. I want to help people, and I want to spread awareness and share my story the way I want it to be shared," Giudice said. "Social media is like an onion; you see layers of people's lives, and you guys, quite frankly, have been seeing the worst, worst times of my life.
And it has been the worst time of my life."
She continued: "I am bipolar. I struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD and ADHD, and I am not ashamed of any of my mental health disorders because I'm currently in a treatment center. My mom's actually on her way to come visit me today."
Bipolar disorder occurs in three forms and is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a mental illness that causes "clear shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels and concentration." Those who have it "often experience periods of extremely 'up,' elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) and very 'down,' sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes)," per the institute.
"I do work on myself. But you know what? I am only 20 years old, and this summer hit me like a bus," Giudice explained. "A lot of things happened in a short a short period of time, and I'm trying to just process everything, and it's really hard being in the public light while you go through things in life," she continued.
Milania Giudice arrest, legal troubles came amid personal loss
In May, Giudice was arrested and charged with one count of simple assault purposely or knowingly causing bodily injury, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY. She addressed the incident in a video June 28 TikTok video, saying stuff "happens in life and it is what it is," but "you gotta learn from it."
Two months later, her close friend Victoria Zardoya died after a fatal fall while on a trip off the coast of Florida. She again made headlines last month when bodycam footage from a Sept. 23 incident at the Tampa airport showed Teresa Giudice reveal Milania Giudice had fentanyl in her system.
"Because I was laced. I was laced. I go to college," Milania Giudice replied, as her mother told her, "I just want to save your life." Giudice also posted clips of the incident on TikTok, although she quickly took them down.
In her Oct. 12 video, Milania Giudice apologized for her behavior and described herself as "a very raw, true, authentic person."
"I just want to say I'm sorry because I was grown up on pure respect, love, and I just haven't been showing the Milania that I want to show, and I want to do better," she said. "I'm going to continue working on myself and trying to completely change everything that I've been posting and everything, because I want to help people in life."
Teresa Giudice previously voiced support for Milania Giudice
After the bodycam footage became public, Teresa Giudice released a statement about Milania Giudice's wellbeing and asked for privacy.
"As a mother, there is nothing more important to me than the health, safety, and well-being of my children," the lengthy statement read. "The past few months have been incredibly difficult for our family, and I feel it is important to say something while also protecting my daughter during an extremely vulnerable time in her life.
"Milania has experienced tremendous heartbreak and significant psychological trauma after losing two of her best friends," the Bravo-lebrity wrote. "Grief affects everyone differently, and watching your child try to process that kind of loss is something no parent can ever truly prepare for. Right now, my only focus is my daughter — making sure she is surrounded by love, family, support, and the care she needs."
Teresa Giudice said while she understands that their family is in the public eye, Milania Giudice "deserves the opportunity to heal without every moment of her pain being analyzed publicly," adding, "I am asking, from one mother to another, and from one family to all of you, to please show Milania compassion and kindness and allow her the privacy she needs right now.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has reached out with love, prayers, and support. It means more to our family than you know," the reality star continued.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Milania Giudice reveals bipolar diagnosis, apologizes after arrest
