Actress Claudine Barretto has shared that she had been diagnosed with panic disorder back in 2002, shortly after Rico Yan, her boyfriend at the time, passed away.
Claudine opens up about having panic disorder
The actress recently posted a photo on Instagram wherein she shared that she had been seeing a psychiatrist, Dra. Bernadette Manalo-Arcena.
She added that she sees her at least once a month for therapy.
In an interview on the television show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, she shared:
"Noong night na yun, sabi ko, 'Doc, mag-picture tayo, 'tapos sasabihin ko na ikaw yung psychiatrist ko.'
"Kasi everytime na nagpo-post siya sa Facebook, lagi ko sinasabi, 'That's my doctor, kasi happy ako lagi dahil parang Doctor to the Stars siya, e!'
"Tapos sabi niya, 'Clau, may patient-doctor confidentiality.' She's very protective of me.
"Ako naman, I've been very open that I've been seeing a psychiatrist and there's nothing wrong.
"I'm just so happy and talagang thankful kasi grabe mga tao, the comments, parang lahat ng tao ngayon, they're very open, they have so much compassion towards other people who are going through any kind of mental illness."
What caused her panic disorder?
Claudine opened up and shared that she started having panic attacks way back in 2002 after Rico Yan, her boyfriend at the time, passed away.
"I just felt na parang mamamatay ako, hindi ako makahinga, parang I was sinking, I was drowning, 'tapos parang lumiliit yung kuwarto, nagko-cold sweats ako 'tapos hihimatayin ako.
"I didn't know what was wrong. Nobody really told me, 'Ah, panic attack 'yan.'
"There were days na parang feeling ko, 'Oh my God, I think I'm going crazy,' kasi balisa, e. Di ka mapakali.
"When you have a panic attack at sabihin ng tao sa 'yo, 'Ano ba nararamdaman mo?' the moment you tell them ano nararamdaman mo, all the more guma-grabe yung panic.
"I was so scared," the actress shared.
The actress also mentioned that she's not ashamed to share that she's seeing a psychiatrist. In fact, she's proud that she made the decision to prioritize her mental health, and to do something to help make her feel better.
What are panic attacks?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, a panic attack is the "abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes." It also includes at least two of the following symptoms:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
- Chills or heat sensations
- Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
- Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
- Fear of dying
Panic attacks shouldn't simply be dismissed. They can be very intense and frightening for anyone who is experiencing it. That's why it's important for people to become more open about mental health, and to seek help in the event that they experience a panic attack.
Just like any other disease or ailment, panic attacks should be treated by a professional. With the help of therapy, medication and coping strategies, a person suffering from panic attacks can live a normal and healthy life.
Source: pep.ph
Photos screen capped from: Instagram.com
ALSO READ: Practicing mindfulness can help reduce labor anxiety and postpartum depression