"I was consuming copious amounts of alcohol" — The Bachelor's Demi Burnett opens up about masking autism with heavy drinking

Known for her fearless demeanor on The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, Demi Burnett is now speaking out on a topic much profound than roses or drama. She disclosed in a recent interview how she unwittingly turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for her undiagnosed autism, a reality that influenced her conduct both on and off screen.

"And I think that they are right in saying that. I was consuming copious amounts of alcohol during The Bachelor, so it should be a great example of seeing how someone can use alcohol to mask," she shared.

Burnett clarified that her heavy drinking was a result of the pressure to blend in and perform socially. It evolved into a means of evading worry, sensory overload, and the difficulty of not fully comprehending oneself. It was no longer just about having fun.

Now that she has a diagnosis and is more conscious of herself, Demi is using her experience to advocate for others. She wants to raise awareness of how autism can manifest differently in women and how many of them hide their symptoms in dangerous ways by sharing her story. Fans are seeing things differently and perhaps with a bit more empathy as a result of her candor.

Demi Burnett reveals the hidden struggles behind her The Bachelor persona

Demi Burnett immediately gained recognition for her audacious confidence and carefree demeanor while competing on The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise. She now acknowledges, though, that a large portion of what viewers saw was a skillfully crafted mask. Behind the scenes, she was battling unidentified autistic symptoms and turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism for stressful social circumstances.

In a recent interview, Demi talked candidly about how that version of herself wasn't totally true. She overdrank as a result of the hectic atmosphere of reality TV and the need to be amusing and socially adept. In retrospect, she thinks unhealthy coping strategies were influenced by the desire to be "on" all the time. Her vulnerability now sheds light on how neurodivergent people, particularly women whose autistic symptoms are typically overlooked, tend to hide their characteristics in high-pressure situations.

How Demi Burnett’s autism diagnosis changed her relationship with alcohol

After years of incoherence and internal conflict, Demi Burnett's diagnosis of autism helped her to better recognize patterns, especially The Bachelor star's relationship with alcohol. She realized that a large portion of her drinking was not for enjoyment but rather as a coping mechanism for social anxiety and overstimulation. Her approach to her lifestyle and mental health changed as a result of this realization.

Since then, Demi has made an effort to break those bad behaviors with help and counseling. She highlights how being aware of her autism has helped her establish boundaries, identify her sensory demands, and discover more constructive ways to deal with stress. She is now almost four years sober, and her experience is a potent illustration of how diagnosis can result in recovery, even when the path hasn't been simple.

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