Photo courtesy of Krystal Nielson Instagram

‘BiP’ Star Krystal Nielson Admits She Battled Depression and Anxiety for Months: ‘2018 Was the Year of Breakdowns’

Reality TV

Apr 11, 2019 3:44 pm·

By Laura Rizzo

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Former Bachelor in Paradise contestant Krystal Nielson revealed in a heartbreaking post that she had a year full of ups and downs in 2018. From bills piling up to battling depression, the reality starlet had a lot happening behind the scenes that fans had no idea about. However, it was also the year that led to her to success in her business, finding love with Chris Randone and so much more. Keep scrolling to see what she said!

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A Moment to Reflect

The 31-year-old explained as she was “going through every transaction that took place” in 2018, it made her re-live some of the hardest days of the past year.

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It’s Been a Long Ride

“The year that my name would be synonymous with villain. The year that $12,000 in hospital bills would drop my 750 credit score to 620,” she began her lengthy post on Instagram.

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Krystal Nielson and Chris Randone relationship

Full Circle

Krystal competed for Arie Luyendyk Jr.‘s heart during season 22 of The Bachelor where she received a less than flattering edit. Although she was posed as confrontational during her first go in reality television, Bachelor in Paradise was a total gamechanger for how she was portrayed to the public.

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Chris Randone and Krystal Nielson bachelor in paradise finale

Family Stuff

She continued the April 10 post, “The year that my little brother came to live with me in 300 square feet after being on the streets.” Her younger brother Jordan was homeless for three years before the two reunited after the show.

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Face-to-Face With Her Problems

She confessed that she was struggling a lot financially last year. “2018 was the year of breakdowns and rebuilds. I could see and feel the pain and scarcity as I went through each statement — the overdraft charges, the credit card payments. To look back and relive some of the toughest moments in my life, the moments when I doubted myself the most.”

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Krystal and Chris pool bachelor in paradise

It Didn’t Stop There

Payments kept piling up as the starlet fell deeper into a hole. “When I came across the hospital bills I had a flashback to the phone calls from my friend Heather about how I needed to confront these heavy bills rather than pretending that they didn’t exist. It wasn’t just the fact that I had no money to pay them, I had to confront the emotional trauma that my body, soul and heart had endured.”

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Rough Patch

“The heavy slap of defeat,” she heartbreakingly wrote. “The months of anxiety and depression. The confrontation that I had failed and fallen and didn’t know what pieces could even be put back together.”

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Krystal Nielson bachelor orange cutout dress

Saying Goodbye

After explaining that her mother had to send money so she could afford to buy food and take care of her brother, they decided that it was time for him to move on from the place where he spent such a hard part of his life. “I also relived the sadness when I saw the $178 Greyhound bus ticket I purchased him due to the panic attacks and extreme anxiety he was re-living from the three years he spent on the streets of Venice Beach.”

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Krystal and Kendall hug on bachelor in paradise

There Was Good

Krystal also did a lot of amazing things. “[2018 was] also the year that I said f–k fear and launched my own business. The year that I made my dream to write a workout program come true … The year that I had to allow myself to trust. The year that I would surrender to love.”

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krystal and chris bachelor in paradise rose ceremony

Things Started Looking Up

“There were also glimmers of hope,” the reality starlet gushed about selling her “first copy of Total Body Guide for $9.99.” She noted, “I was doing it despite everything else.”

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$107.59 Well Spent

Then, came a new opportunity. She continued, “In May 2018, I could feel the momentum begin to build as I prepared to go on Paradise. $78.61 spent at Forever 21 for swim covers. $28.98 at Claire’s for some new bling. My last purchase before I left for an unknown adventure was a rent check that barely cleared.”

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She Found Love

Krystal dated a few people during the season but ended up falling for Chris. The two are currently engaged and live together in San Diego.

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Things Were Different

“I could feel the energy shift as I went into July 2018 … I was back home,” she continued on a brighter note. “I could feel the love and happiness in my heart at that exact moment in my life.”

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Always Looking Ahead

She came back from Mexico with a new outlook on things. “Life was different. And I would never go back to the way it was. Love filled my heart and I couldn’t wait to share that with the world.”

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There’s a Reason for Everything

“I watched the fall and rise,” she reflected. “The dark nights and heavy storms my heart endured. Looking back, I now see that those thunderstorms are the reasons my dreams blossomed.”

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James Kennedy, Scheana Marie, Krystal Nielson and Chris Randone tom tom opening

Things Started Making Sense

It’s easy to see that the blonde beauty had a new lease on life at that point. She admitted, “I didn’t know the how’s but I knew the why’s — My purpose, my family, my clients and dream for positive impact stayed close to my heart.”

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Krystal Nielson ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise" - Season Five

Always Working

“I trusted in the universe that everything was here to teach me how I could grow. How I could become better, stronger, more compassionate, more resilient, more knowledgable and more loving to myself.” The starlet is always looking for ways to improve herself and fitness is the way she helps others.

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Lessons Learned Along the Way

“2018 you taught me that my heart is the only validation that I need,” she wrapped up her post. “To embrace the dark nights because that is when we grow the most.”

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