Courageous Teen Mom Catelynn Lowell Shares Heartbreaking Past: Overcoming Childhood Trauma
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star Catelynn Lowell bravely opens up about her traumatic past, revealing for the first time on camera that she was a victim of childhood sexual abuse Her story sheds light on the importance of breaking the silence and seeking support
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Catelynn Lowell spoke about being sexually abused as a child for the first time on camera during the Teen Mom: The Next Chapter reunion.
In the latest season of MTV, viewers witnessed Tyler Baltierra, Catelynn's husband, bravely sharing his experience of childhood sexual abuse during intense therapy sessions. In a solemn reunion sit-down aired on October 11, Tyler, 31, opened up about the overwhelming guilt and shame he had been carrying. He revealed that the sexual abuse he endured as a child contributed to his hypersexuality as a teenager, ultimately leading to a series of other traumatic events, including becoming parents at 17 and making the difficult decision to give their daughter Carly up for adoption.
Tyler expressed the importance of moving on from the past, stating that it is not the child's responsibility or fault. When Catelynn mentioned the prevalent societal judgment towards men discussing their past experiences of sexual trauma, Dr. Drew inquired if she too had suffered abuse during her childhood. Catelynn validated that she had indeed experienced such abuse.
"I was around 7 or 8 years old," she recalled, reflecting on her first time saying it in front of a camera. Surprisingly, it wasn't until recently, at the age of 31, that I finally shared this with my parents. I confided in both my dad and my mom about it." Over the years, Catelynn's strained relationship with her mother, April, has been a recurring theme on camera, starting from her appearance on 16 and Pregnant in 2009.
Catelynn dismissed Dr. Drew's suggestion that her recent revelation might have contributed to her mom's decision to drink again. She described her mom's reaction as heartless and unkind, noting that her response was dismissive and offensive. Catelynn also mentioned that her mom drunkenly called her on the phone, further highlighting the extent of her behavior.
Catelynn mentioned that her mother went as far as getting a tattoo of the term "toxic" on herself because of the negative relationship dynamic she shares with her daughter.
Catelynn and Tyler, who have been a couple since their middle school years and got married in 2015, are the parents of three children: Nova (8), Vaeda (4), and Rya (2). During a September episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Tyler expressed his admiration for his wife by writing a heartfelt letter to his younger self as part of a therapy exercise.
Tyler recited the words aloud to Catelynn, a reflection on the anguish of his own past abuse. He assured her that despite the unbearable pain, there is a purpose for survival, and that purpose is named Cate.
He continued, explaining that through Cate, she would experience a love that is pure and unparalleled, giving her the realization of her own worthiness to be loved. Cate would prove why her life was not meant to end that day. Tyler predicted that they would fall deeply in love, and through that love, they would become parents, bringing four beautiful children into the world. By being the father he never had, they would break the cycle of generational trauma.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 if you or someone you are acquainted with is considering suicide.
Contact the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 through call or text if you or someone you know is facing child abuse.
