She’s still struggling. Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick bravely opened up about her battle with depression to Life & Style exclusively, as a result of injuring herself on the job as an EMT. But now, the 32-year-old is revealing how her whole life has been affected by the mental illness, including her relationship with her fiancé, Chris. Scroll through the gallery to see how Angelina and her man have been coping with her depression together.
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Ups and Downs
“We have been through our ups and downs. My relationship is hurting because I’m not the same right now,” Angelina revealed. “We aren’t sexual at the moment because of my depression.”
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Secret Struggles
“Like I said, it can affect a lot,” she explained, but clearly her future husband is standing by her. “I am thankful for Chris and my dog Peanut and my three rescue cats.”
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Got Your Back
She also revealed that her support system isn’t the biggest, but she treasures those she has around her.
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Family Love
“I don’t really have family, just my uncle (who is helping me with this every step of the way),” she explained.
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The Truth
“I’ve been struggling with depression due to a lot going on in my life,” she previously revealed to Life & Style.
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It Gets Real
“And sometimes it doesn’t even have to be anything, I just get depressed out of nowhere,” she explained.
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Work Hero
“A lot has to do with my job,” she said. “To be honest, I got injured on the job trying to save a life.”
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Warrior
Back in November 2017, Angelina lifted a 450-pound patient and is still suffering from an injury as a result.
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Taking It Easy
“I tore my whole back, and I was never the same. I still hold the job as a [Fire Department of New York] EMT,” she explained, though she has been taking it easy at work since the incident.
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Forever Changed
“It’s been a struggle. I am not the same,” she revealed.
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Fans Don’t Know
In some ways, it almost feels like leading a double life for the reality star. “Fans don’t know [that I struggle with depression],” she said. “It’s a lot to deal with. I sleep at 6 p.m. most nights from depression.”
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Bringing Awareness
But she wants to bring awareness to the struggle. “No one knows [how much it can] affect your relationships at home with your loved ones and just you as a person,” she said.
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
Get The Help You Need
“I want people out there to know they aren’t alone and to get the help they need,” she said, encouraging fans and followers to seek her out for support. “If they ever want to talk, message me.”
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
It Takes Time
But she also wants people to know that the process is just that — a process — and it takes time. “I just started talking to someone, and I still feel like it’s not helping,” she said. “Maybe because it’s new.”
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Courtesy of Angelina Pivarnick/Instagram
The Real Angelina
As far as being in the public eye again, the Jersey Shore OG doesn’t have regrets about getting back on the show that made her famous. “I think America loves me now,” she said. “I am a new Angelina, and I am happy America has seen the real me.”
