Lisa Rinna Talks Daughter Delilah’s ‘Extreme’ Mental Health Disorder & Rehab Stints
July 23 2019, Published 1:30 p.m. ET
Lisa Rinna just got very real about a touchy family subject: her daughter’s mental health.
Three days after Delilah Belle Hamlin revealed on her Instagram that she went to rehab twice last year, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star addressed the model’s comments and explained the issue further.
“First of all I want to say how proud I am of both of our girls,” Lisa, 56, wrote, on her Instagram story. “I am in awe of how brave and courageous they are!”
RadarOnline.com readers know the reality star shares daughters Delilah, 21, and Amelia, 18, with husband Harry Hamlin.
“In regards to Delilah’s recent post, I think it’s time to discuss the condition that started it all — PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections),” Lisa continued. “Roughly 10 percent of the pediatric population will develop PANDAS to some degree.”
In the PANDAS Network’s website, they say the disorder occurs “when strep triggers a misdirected immune response and results in inflammation on a child’s brain.” Symptoms include “OCD, anxiety, tics, personality changes, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities, restrictive eating, and more.”
Lisa said Delilah’s “condition was extreme,” as she started having “serious anxiety and multiple phobias.” These caused her to seek professional help, and after months of treatment, her health has improved.
“Thankfully, we found the appropriate therapies. She is doing much much better,” wrote the Bravo star.
In her original message, Delilah opened up about how difficult it was for her to accept her condition and be honest about her experiences.
“I strive to try my hardest to be a positive influence on my younger followers. I wanted to share this with you guys today because it could help at least one person struggling with anxiety and or depression,” she said.
The mode explained that she began to experience symptoms of the disorder when she moved to New York City and enrolled in NYU.
“Not long after I moved to New York I began having terrible depression,” Delilah wrote. “I started attracting negative people into my life because my thoughts were so negative.”
“I got trapped in a severely unhealthy relationship that pushed me over the edge,” she continued. “I couldn’t get out of the relationship because I thought I was deserving of it.”
About eight months later, Delilah “couldn’t take the pain anymore” and decided to reach out to her mother to ask for help.
“In February I called my mom, packed some bags, and took the soonest flight back to LA. Two weeks later I was admitted into a rehab facility,” Delilah said. “I knew the way I was living was unhealthy and detrimental to my mental health so I called my mom and told her I needed help.”
She said she learned a lot while in rehab, including how to feel “less shameful and guilty” about her condition and herself. She returned for a second time in June, and stayed two more months.
Delilah said the treatment facility is “the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
“This time I stayed for 60 days (two months),” Delilah said. “I worked through traumas and self-love. But most importantly I learned what self-respect meant.”
“Saying no is OKAY! Do only things that make you happy and make you feel good about yourself. Don’t let another individual take over your life and tell you who you are or how to be,” she told her followers. “Take control of your own life and get rid of all negative people and energy that may surround you. And I guarantee this will lead to a happier life even if it’s hard in the moment.”
Seeing her message, hundreds of supportive fans praised her for her strength and shared their own stories about PANDAS. And now, her mother has made it clear she’s fully got her back.