Sister Wives Janelle Brown Hints at Mental Health Struggles

Janelle Brown has long been seen as the steady compass within the Sister Wives family—a woman who often chose logic over chaos and resilience over reaction.

But as the dust continues to settle following her split from Kody Brown, it’s clear she’s not just picking up the pieces. She’s building something entirely new from them.

While many reality TV stars fade into the background once their relationships unravel, Janelle has only become more vocal, more reflective, and, frankly, more relatable.

Recently, she gave fans a rare peek into her internal world—and hinted at deeper emotional struggles that go beyond what the cameras ever captured.

Speaking Truth—Even If It’s Uncomfortable

During the third installment of the Sister Wives Tell-All, Janelle sat down with host Sukanya Krishnan for a conversation that took an unexpected turn. She didn’t mince words when discussing her ex-husband, Kody Brown. Her assessment? Striking.

“He does a cycle of love bombing after hurting his wives,” she explained, likening his behavior to that of a narcissist. But she was careful with her words. “I’m not a psychologist,” Janelle clarified, “but I see a lot of similarities to a narcissist in Kody.” She stopped short of giving him the label outright, letting viewers draw their own conclusions: “I’ll let the people decide for themselves.”

It wasn’t just a raw moment—it was a boundary drawn in prime time.

A Shift in Perspective

Offscreen, Janelle’s introspection continued on Instagram. In a reflective post, she shared a photo of graffiti that seemed to stop her in her tracks. For her, it wasn’t just random street art—it was a mirror for her own emotional state.

“We often become so trapped in our circumstances that we label ourselves as being the circumstance we are in,” she wrote.

She credited motivational speaker Mel Robbins with helping her shift her thinking. “‘You aren’t anxious, you have anxious thoughts.’ And a simple shift gives people emotional breathing room,” Janelle shared. The quote clearly struck a chord with her—and with fans, too.

She also tied the graffiti’s message to a line from Simon & Garfunkel: “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls.” It might not have been a literal connection, she admitted, but it resonated just the same. “Maybe not the exact interpretation but I thought it fit.”

Fans rushed to share how deeply they connected with her reflection:

“Our struggles can inform us….. but they do not FORM us. We learn thru living…… I love the graffiti and Simon and Garfunkel. ❤️”

“I JUST saw this on my bike ride this morning and was also moved by it.”

“It’s perfect. I’m not my _____ and then you can fill in the blank. #artappreciation”

“Love!!! We tell our kids ‘Life is not made up of one and done moments. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.’”

“I love how you received this powerful message and you shared it for all of us. Life is really hard for everyone right now and positivity spreads just as much as fear. I encourage you to try to change your POV when you see ‘graffiti’ because it’s truly a form of art. ❤️”

Janelle didn’t just post art. She sparked a dialogue.

Laughing Again—and Finding Her People

Beyond the introspection and emotional honesty, Janelle’s also finding her joy again—this time, with new and old friends in tow. She recently shared snapshots of a recent girls’ trip, featuring two friends who brought more than just luggage—they brought laughter.

“When you have friends who show up to a birthday trip (last month) ready to bring the laughs. Tonight I’m grateful for friends old and new @kristinahenson_az @angelamoodez,” she captioned.

Fans, still adjusting to the fractured Brown family dynamic, were thrilled to see Janelle surrounded by positivity—and people who make her laugh again.

The comment section? As hilarious as it was supportive:

“No matching knife in the kidney Tees?! 😂😂😂”

“I love you. Me and my partner CACKLED when you said ‘I just don’t like them.’”

“Love this so much 😂 Has anyone checked on Kody’s other kidney? I’m worried there might be a knife in it.”

Redefining Her Life, Her Way

What stands out about Janelle now is that she’s not trying to be the perfect ex-wife or the unshakable mom. She’s allowing herself to be layered—thoughtful, vulnerable, funny, and fierce. And through every post, every quote, every song lyric and scribbled wall message, she’s sending the same subtle signal:

She’s not going back to who she was. She’s writing a new story.

And this time, she’s the only one holding the pen.

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