Stassi Schroeder reveals past self-harm battle, shudders when 3-year-old daughter notices scars

Stassi Schroeder, pictured here, spoke to Bustle about previously engaging in self-harm. Pat Martin/Bustle

Stassi Schroeder revealed that she previously engaged in self-harm and she struggles with how to relay that information to her 3-year-old daughter, Hartford.

The “Vanderpump Rules” alum discusses her mental health journey in her upcoming book, “You Can’t Have It All,” so she explained why she chose to share that part of her life.

“It just feels like it’s been a secret, and I don’t like secrets,” she told Bustle in an interview published Thursday.

The “Vanderpump Rules” alum talks about her past self-harm and suicidal ideation in her upcoming memoir, “You Can’t Have It All.” Pat Martin/Bustle

Schroeder explained that she doesn’t want her past to be a “secret” anymore.

Schroeder, 36, added that “part of” the reason she’s chosen to have a career in podcasting and reality TV is “because there is this feeling of, ‘I’m free. Everyone knows my s–t. I don’t have to hide anything.’”

The “Stassi” podcast host said that she also decided to tell her story about self-harm because her daughter began noticing her scars.

“When I look at myself naked, Hartford will see a little line, and she’ll be like, ‘Mommy, ouchie.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, God, that feels dirty. How will I ever explain to her that this was something that I chose?’” she shared.

Schroeder’s daughter Hartford, pictured here in October 2023, also played a role in her decision to speak up. stassischroeder/Instagram

The “Stassi” podcast host said Hartford has asked her about her scars. stassischroeder/Instagram

Schroeder shares daughter Hartford and son Messer, almost 1, with her husband of four years, Beau Clark.

Elsewhere in the upcoming memoir, Schroeder dives into her past addiction to Adderall, which she has previously spoken about.

During the Season 7 “Vanderpump Rules” reunion in 2019, Schroeder confessed that she had given up taking Adderall –– which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but can also be misused and abused –– after having several “dark passenger” outbursts.

Schroeder also discusses her prior Adderall addiction. Pat Martin/Bustle

Schroeder, pictured here with Hartford, son Messer and husband Beau Clark in February 2024, gave up Adderall after getting into “dark passenger” arguments with Clark in 2019. stassischroeder/Instagram

“I want to figure out what it is that’s making me like this. I hurt my friends, I hurt [Clark], I hurt myself, and that was a moment where I was like — and I didn’t want to like full-on come out and say this, but I’m not gonna take Adderall again. Like, I’m not gonna do that,” she said.

Clark, 44, applauded his then-girlfriend for giving up the drug because she was “not Stassi” when she was taking it.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.