I haven't been following the show very much these past few seasons, I keep up with the message boards more than I do watching. But I wonder if some of Catelynn's depression comes from the fact that she wanted her new baby, Nova to be a Carly replacement and when Nova came out as her own little person, and not a Carly clone if that was a major letdown for Catelynn?
shareI dont think of it so much as wanting Nova as a replacement. I think sometimes watching Nova grow reminds her of all the things she missed out on by not getting to raise Carly herself. She wonders how things would be different if she had both girls. She never wanted to give Carly up because she didn't want her, only because she knew she couldn't give her the quality of life that Brandon and Theresa could since she was only 16. Even so I think she feels guily about giving her up and sone times regrets it. Especially seeing Nova grow.
shareAlso, they were unknown/had no money when they gave her up for adoption, then Teen Mom became a thing and the girls got paid. So I think Cate regrets not just keeping Carly because she knows she would've had Teen Mom money and would have been able to raise her.
shareTyler also threatened to leave her if she chose to keep the baby. Then boo hoo'd for all the world to see.
shareExactly. Cate wanted to keep Carly and Tyler was the one pushing for adoption and pretty much said they will break up if they keep the baby.
shareSee, I don't have an issue with him wanting to place Carly for adoption, thinking that that is the best option for her, but still being sad that he has to let her go. And, going off of Amber, Maci, Chelsea, Leah, Jenelle, and Kailyn, I think it's pretty safe to assume that they would have broken up. What I hate is that they said that they were doing the show to show how adoption is a loving option. It definitely is and I think everyone here will agree that Carly is much better off with B&T than she would have been with C&T, but you see how Catelynn and Tyler are always talking about Carly, how sad they are that they don't have Carly, how angry they are with B&T that they can't film Carly, etc. and you wonder if they are helping anyone make the decision to place their child for adoption. It might be good for the child, but look at how Catelynn and Tyler are presenting that decision as it affects them.
sharei agree , @blondeangel ... but she's now missing out on two babies not just one. she's missing out on Nova. very sad. i think she was depressed and then postpartum made it even worse.
shareNo i don't think her depression comes from Nova/Carly. Does giving up her daughter help help depression, yes, but its not what caused it. I think her childhood caused her depression. I think once she had Nova, it made it resurface.
shareI disagree with you Kem. The Carly issue is the elephant in the room that she never talks about and it is the root of her mental health issues. It makes complete sense. Most people are able to get over a rough childhood. Some that do not may have issues but not a basket case like Catelynn. Giving up a baby that you held in your body for 9 months. That will make anyone filled with dread and regret to last a lifetime. It was a mistake. She should have kept Carly. All the other girls have managed fine. She probably looks at them and is jealous. She can't deal with her choice. That is it.
shareDisagreed fully.
Catelynn has so many more issues than just her putting her first child up for adoption.
She may blame it on that, but I promise you she has so many issues, either self perpetuated or from her past.
All the other girls have managed fine. She probably looks at them and is jealous. She can't deal with her choice. That is it.
Exactly. This is something the therapist nor Catelynn ever discuss. It is really heartbreaking. Yes, it is a risk of placing your baby for adoption. But they are filmed on TV for years displaying this to the world and I think that has its impact.
Again, I acknowledge that she had a less than perfect childhood as many others have had. That is not the reason she has fallen apart. Prior to the birth of Nova she was more resilient. She's fallen off the rails.
I agree, Melancholy, that loss of Carly is a huge factor in Cate's depression. Her rough childhood and fears of her marriage failing are also factors, but losing her baby, especially now that she is a mother, is affecting her severely.
shareTotally. :)
I just wish someone would talk with her about it and reflect on it. It might be really cathartic for her. If she keeps stuffing it inside her -- it only gets worse.