Amber Portwood Opens Up About Her Struggles After Leah’s Heartfelt Wish to Be Adopted: A Journey of Healing and Reflection

• Amber Portwood is grappling with her estrangement from her daughter Leah, 16, especially given Leah’s wish to be adopted by her stepmom, Kristina Shirley.
• In a recent episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Amber seeks comfort from her own mother, Tonya.
• Amber reflects on her tumultuous relationship with Tonya and finds hope for her future with Leah.

Amber Portwood continues to navigate her challenging relationship with her daughter Leah.

In the episode aired on Thursday, April 17, of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Amber shares her struggles following the distressing news that Leah, whom she shares with ex Gary Shirley, wants to be adopted so that Gary’s wife, Kristina, can become her legal mother.

“I thought I was already at my lowest after everything that happened, especially from my breakup with Gary Wayt,” Amber admits in a confessional.

“Finding out that Leah wanted to be adopted completely overwhelmed me,” she reveals to producers. “For over four months, I was just lying in bed. I realized that what I truly needed was my mom.”

In a pivotal scene, Amber reaches out to her mother, Tonya, with whom she has had a rocky relationship.

“I woke up feeling utterly hopeless, questioning why I was even awake,” she confesses to Tonya, who inquires whether she is taking her medication.

“My relationship with my mom was pretty tumultuous when I was around 16,” she reflects, as flashback scenes of past arguments play.

“There were times when things escalated so much that I had to leave home and stay with my father,” she explains. “I’ve seen my mom three times in the past few weeks, after not seeing her for almost a year.”

Later, Amber and Tonya share lunch, where Amber acknowledges that “this morning was heavy.”

“When I wake up in tears like today, all I do is reach out to you,” she admits.

“I’ve always been here for you. No matter how old you are, you will always be my baby. I’m trying to understand what you’re going through,” Tonya responds.

Amber then requests her mother to accompany her to a psychiatrist appointment, sharing, “I’m not just bipolar. I have four major mental health issues that I want them to help explain to you.”

“By now, I would think they would have your medications sorted out, especially after eight years of treatment,” Tonya notes. Amber tries to clarify, but Tonya adds, “That’s a question I’ve wanted to ask him as well.”

“He won’t take offense,” Amber assures her.

“I think this uncertainty has lingered for too long,” Tonya observes, later reiterating, “I just don’t see you making progress.”

“What do you mean by ‘too long,’ Mom? There’s no cure for this,” Amber replies.

Shifting topics, Amber opens up about her concerns regarding Leah, saying, “With everything happening in my life, I’m terrified she may never return to me.”

“She’ll come around when she’s ready,” Tonya reassures her.

“I understand that, but I’m scared that time may never come,” Amber confesses. She then inquires, “Does Leah reach out to you?”

“She texts me. She sends goodnight messages and says that she loves me,” Tonya responds.

As Amber fights back tears, Tonya comforts her, saying, “It’ll be okay. We can’t force her.”

In her confessional, Amber shares, “My relationship with my mom was incredibly tumultuous, but today I’m with her, and I love her dearly. That gives me hope for Leah. Things will improve, but it may take some time.”

Teen Mom: The Next Chapter broadcasts on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.