Ahead of the release of Sister Wives Season 19, Kody Brown spoke out about his belated son, Garrison Brown. Although both Janelle and Kody have shared united messages since the passing, they are individually opening up now. Undeniably, Janelle admits the family is far more sensitive to the needs and mental health within the family after losing her precious boy. But Kody is now talking about his personal battle with mental illness as well.

Kody Brown Has Many Life Stressors

Undeniably, Kody Brown’s anger has been front and center for several seasons. Since the top five life stressors are: the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, moving, long-term illness, and job loss, there is good reason. Without a doubt, the Browns are ticking many of the boxes in the common life stressor category. Previously, Maddie Brown Brush said her dad was unstable which led her to keep her kids from him. Likewise, Kody gets frequent backlash from viewers who identify narcissistic behaviors with Kody in his relationships with Meri, Janelle, and Christine. Not only that but raising eighteen kids and having four wives comes with plenty of cause for overwhelm. While Janelle Brown has mentioned that the family is doing regular “mental health” check-ins after losing Garrison Brown, Kody is sharing one area of his mental health that has been weaponized against him.

Kody Brown – Sister Wives

Kody Brown Reveals Mental Illness

However, ahead of Sister Wives Season 19, Kody Brown admits his struggle with mental illness during a preview. On TLC’s Instagram page, Kody talks in a confessional interview, saying, “They know I suffer from FOMO about my family.” Then, he adds as slow sentimental music plays in the background, “Fear of missing out, okay, so anything they can do that excludes me, is a punishment to me.” While the clip doesn’t give much context to the statement, it has a small glimpse of Mykelti Brown Padron playing with some of the kids as he talks.

Kody Brown admits his family uses his FOMO against him.- Sister Wives

Viewers Have A Difficult Time Pitying Kody Brown

Although the Browns have all been through a tremendous amount of stress, especially with the loss of Garrison Brown, many viewers don’t pity Kody Brown. For instance, some of the stress is self-inflicted. Instead of putting down roots, the family has frequently moved throughout the years. Likewise, they have in turned changed many jobs. Furthermore, the plural marriage is over which is an accumulation of years of not maintaining healthy relationships. In the comments of the clip, many people gave their thoughts about Kody’s suffering.

• “You suffer from a lot more than just FOMO.”
• “I am so sick of this guys whining! He takes zero responsibility or accountability for his actions, or lack there of. Grow up already!”
• “Always the victim …”
• “You Can actually see when he gets an evil idea in his eyes .”
• “You didn’t suffer from FOMO when Isabel had back surgery.”

Fake ‘FOMO’

Furthermore, other fans point out how Kody Brown spent a lot of time pushing people away to feel “FOMO.” Likewise, others think he earned his punishment.

• “Ugh he favored Robin’s children & pushed his other children to the side. That hurts way too much to be forgotten. He is far from a victim.”
• “Well, of course you deserve some punishment because you let all of them down.”
• “Yeah Kody, that’s what happens when you make sure to only talk to/spend time with your kids when it’s convenient or beneficial for you. They’re adults now and won’t put up with your BS.”
• “In the first place he excluded himself from his family, not the other way.”
• “He’s acting like they get together with the sole purpose of ‘punishing him’? like no, they get together because they love each other and have PRIORITIZED their relationships with each other unlike he has.”
• “Raging narcissism at its worst. He only thinks of how things affect him, not what he’s done to be in that position to begin with. 😂.”

Catch the new season of Sister Wives this Sunday on TLC at 10/9c. Or stream it later on Max.

Does Kody Brown admitting FOMO surprise you? Do you think it was easier to admit than confronting other mental challenges? Do you think it further points to narcissistic behavior? Are you ready to see the new season of Sister Wives? Let us know what you think about Kody in the comments below.