Amber Portwood Calls New Boyfriend Her Anchor Amid Mental Health Journey
Amber Portwood said her boyfriend of almost a year has been her anchor as she manages bipolar disorder. The Teen Mom alum described him as calm and from a Catholic family, saying he is very different from her but what she needed. Portwood and Gary Wayt ended their engagement in 2024.
Portwood, 36, has spoken publicly about living with bipolar disorder and credits her partner of nearly a year with steady support. She has said he is even-tempered and comes from a Catholic household where profanity is avoided. She has not publicly named him.
Her earlier engagement to Gary Wayt ended in 2024 after he disappeared and was later located roughly 900 miles away in Oklahoma. Portwood, who shares 17-year-old Leah with Gary Shirley, later said the episode left her deeply hurt. In mid-2025 she mentioned dating someone for more than a month, describing a long-held job and a North Carolina accent.
Portwood’s openness about bipolar disorder and relationship stability may resonate with fans who follow reality TV stars’ mental health journeys. It could encourage conversations about supportive partners and boundaries, especially among viewers who have experienced public scrutiny or difficult breakups. Her story may also shape how audiences view recovery and dating after trauma, though celebrity disclosures can only offer a limited window into private treatment and relationships.