MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ Star Leroy Garrett Says Male Postpartum Depression Hit Him ‘Like A Ton Of Bricks’

Leroy Garrett

MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ Star Leroy Garrett Says Male Postpartum Depression Hit Him ‘Like A Ton Of Bricks’

Parenthood can sometimes be a bit taxing.

Reality TV star Leroy Garrett — who is most known for being a recurring competitor on MTV’s “The Challenge” — recently opened up about his battle with male postpartum depression, and the steps he took to get to a better place. According to a medical report from UnityPoint Health, male postpartum depression (aka paternal postnatal depression (PPND)) might be more common than you think, with one in ten men experiencing the condition within the first year after a baby is added to their family.

Leroy Garrett

Leroy Garrett, unfortunately, knows firsthand how PPND can alter your life. In an upcoming episode of “The Challenge: All Stars,” the 38-year-old reveals he first experienced the serious condition following the birth of his almost 2-year-old son Kingston Lee. He says in a confessional,

“My son has been one of the biggest blessings in my life but when he came out, I was scared. I’m not trying to be perfect, but when I’m dead and gone I want to be able to say that I did a great job with my child. All of this weight was just on my shoulders. Am I going to be a great dad?”

Leroy Garrett and his fiancé/castmate Kam Williams, 29, are also parents to a newborn daughter named Aria. According to Leroy, when he first became a dad he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t happy and was mentally having a hard time adjusting to his new role. Thankfully, he says his fiancé noticed something was wrong, sharing,

“I went to counseling, which I’m still going to counseling now. I always was against therapy and having someone to talk to. And it actually worked. It helped me build tools to get me through the process.”

Leroy Garrett, Kam Williams, and their son

In a couple’s confessional, Leroy notes he was unaware men could even experience postpartum depression. Praising her significant other for not hiding his true feelings from her, Kam Williams adds,

“And I’m so happy you communicated that with me because usually with men, they always have to hide their feelings and you just have to be tough and strong and we definitely had that vulnerable moment throughout our relationship. Which I think just makes us even stronger.”

Elaborating more on how he overcame the hurdle, Leroy shares with PEOPLE,

“Male postpartum hit me like a ton of bricks. The high expectations about becoming a father is scary.”

He continues

“Therapy helps, and having a supportive partner gets you through the storm. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life [but] ends up being one of the scariest and [most] uncertain times of your life.”

He adds,

“Talking about my worries with other dads really helped me a lot. I learned to take it one day at a time, which is easier said than done. But I now embrace fatherhood and all its ups and downs. I have all the tools for baby #2.”

Leroy Garrett, Kam Williams, and their son

What are your thoughts on what Leroy Garrett shared? Tell us in the comments below! 

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