Summer House’s KJ Dillard Details Hospitalization, BPD Diagnosis

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Content warning: This article contains mention of self-harm.

KJ Dillard shared insight into his inner world during the Summer House season 10 reunion. 

After Andy Cohen mentioned fans praising KJ for being open about his mental health, KJ revealed that his own mental health worsened after filming the show.

KJ shared that they struggled with their mental health last fall, to the point where they needed to be hospitalized after self-harming. They spent a week receiving care at the hospital.

He mentioned that his costars, Mia Calabrese and Ciara Miller—who he’d called his “sisters for life” on the show—visited him nearly every day.

Wiping away tears, he explained that going to rehab really helped him turn things around. He spent several months there, finally getting the chance to focus on himself. He realized he’d spent his whole life avoiding his problems instead of dealing with them, but now he feels much better.

KJ revealed he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) during a recent hospital stay and has begun both medication and therapy as part of his treatment. He was supported by his costars while sharing this information.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It impacts how someone views themselves and others, and can make daily life difficult. People with BPD may experience impulsive behaviors, a constantly shifting sense of identity, trouble managing their emotions, and problems in their relationships.

I’m just really grateful to be alive and have the support of my friends, everyone here has shown it in their own way, and I really appreciate that. I’m thankful the audience is accepting of my story, because it’s honest and real.

He said he wants to be open about his experiences, particularly if sharing them can benefit others.

KJ’s honest confession on screen touched many of his colleagues, notably Jesse Solomon, who appeared to be on the verge of tears as he listened.

Honestly, hearing Jesse say that really meant a lot to me. He just gets it, you know? He told me he was so moved by my story and that he’s truly glad I’m doing okay. He emphasized he wouldn’t want anyone to experience what I went through, and he was so relieved to hear that things are looking up for him too. It was just a really supportive and heartfelt thing to say.

After which Carl Radke added to KJ, “You’re gonna keep doing great stuff man.”

As KJ focuses on the future, he’s joined by other public figures who are openly discussing the importance of mental health. Learn more about these conversations ahead.

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This diagnosis followed a mental health crisis he experienced in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He said he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, along with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.

As a lifestyle expert, I often talk about prioritizing well-being, and this story really resonates. A friend of mine shared that when his wife became pregnant, he realized he needed to proactively address his mental health. He didn’t want to risk his well-being, or potentially have a severe episode, while also stepping into fatherhood. So, he made the incredibly brave decision to start therapy and seek support. It’s a powerful reminder that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential, especially when you’re preparing for a major life change.

The former star of Gossip Girl shared his experience struggling with body image issues as a young actor, which he described as “body dysmorphia.”

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, and a period of depression and isolation, he consciously started focusing on his appearance. He felt that being seen as more attractive might lead to greater success and make him feel more valued.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

Honestly, that’s what kept me going through a really tough time, when I was questioning everything. It let me eventually return to my passions, but I feel like I’ve grown and changed inside as a result. It wasn’t just picking up where I left off; I truly feel different now.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I’ve lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted that food was her primary coping mechanism, and she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar, stopping alcohol, and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the drug Ritalin.

She shared that she’s an actress who struggles with eating and body image, but she’s working on healing those challenges and prioritizing her physical health through a healthy diet.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She explained on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about these things, even with those you trust most. She admitted that she personally feels she should be strong enough to handle it, and admitting she struggles feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about how she safeguards her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being kind to yourself and not rushing things. ‘I gave myself time, and things eventually got better,’ she explained.

As people adjusted to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the singer of “Firework” opened up about how challenging and stressful times like these can be.

She tweeted about struggling with the challenges of the pandemic, saying it’s hard to decide what’s more difficult: avoiding the virus itself or dealing with the resulting depression. Katy explained that she often finds solace in her car, which has become her safe space since there aren’t many other places to go.

I was so moved to see the model partner with Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition! She was on Good Morning America talking about her personal struggles with anxiety, and it was incredibly brave and inspiring. It really helped to shine a light on something so many of us go through.

Honestly, after my panic attacks started happening again, I finally figured out what was going on. It took a while, but I eventually got the information I needed to understand them.

Kendall explained that she experiences both good and anxious days, making her emotional state fluctuate. This is why she was drawn to the movement – she wants people to know they’re not alone in their struggles.

As someone who follows wellness trends and public figures, I’ve been really impressed with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s honesty. He’s spoken candidly about his own struggles with depression, and it’s so important because it highlights how tough it can be for men to open up and talk about their mental health. It’s a conversation we need to be having, and his willingness to share is incredibly valuable.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to understand this, but the most important thing is to talk about what you’re going through. Men especially often keep their feelings bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting help for mental health by sharing his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many others go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The actress from Empire has publicly discussed her experiences with depression and emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help. She shared with Variety that therapy is essential for her to cope and manage her mental health.

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began MDMA and psilocybin therapy, a treatment for PTSD, after struggling with both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that this was the first time she’d toured without feeling nervous. She described a strange, shared sensation with the audience – a feeling like a sudden shift in pressure – that ran through everyone in the room. This experience helped her understand how much she thrives on, and even needs, that powerful, physical connection with people to truly feel her music come alive.

She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained she felt a need to stop taking birth control, as if it had severed a connection to traditional expectations of womanhood. It might sound strange, but she felt liberated from those expectations, like it opened up new possibilities for her.

In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying it’s the first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind the song “What He Didn’t Do” recently opened up about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the Dumb Blonde podcast in August 2025 that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood.

Over the past decade, I got used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own. But a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and start understanding what was going on. I’ve actually dealt with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child – it wasn’t something that started recently in 2020.

The actress known for Frozen has openly shared her mental health journey for years, discussing how she copes with things in public speeches and on social media like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for their well-being. According to Health magazine, her personal approach includes things like medication, balancing negative thoughts with ten positives, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experience with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken challenge for new mothers.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to let others know that this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within herself during that period.

Cara shared with the publication, through W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to find happiness within herself, and after a long journey, she’s finally able to be content on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a tweet asking about her therapist. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on multiple occasions.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. She explained that I don’t have to live with constant pain and that healing from trauma is possible. While she acknowledged she has a long journey ahead, she said simply recognizing that change is possible is a good first step.

The singer has openly shared her struggles and recovery related to addiction, mental health, and other personal challenges, and often incorporates these experiences into her songs.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental wellbeing, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “Just a reminder to anyone who’s having a hard time – life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has openly discussed mental health, both through her work – like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria – and in her personal life.

Zendaya has spoken about experiencing anxiety after a 2013 appearance on Ellen, when her microphone malfunctioned. She shared this on an app she used to have. Since then, she’s found ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that it’s sometimes necessary to take a break to reduce stress.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme highs and lows that could leave her incapacitated for weeks.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but after finding the right medication, her life has dramatically improved.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her personal experiences as well.

She shared that she’d kept her struggles with mental health private for a long time, and also talked about them publicly at times. Speaking at the 2018 Global Changemakers Award, she explained that she firmly believes keeping things secret only makes things worse.

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2026-05-27 16:51