MANILA, Philippines — Matagal na rin palang nakakaranas ng depression si Ice Seguerra.
Sa isang post niya kahapon sa kanyang IG account, inamin niya ang kanyang pinagdaraanan - nakasulat sa art card.
“I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety since the early 2000’s. Did some therapy back then but I stopped taking my meds and hindi na ako nagpakita sa doctor ko (bad move). Mula noon, I just lived with it. It’s like a cloud hovering, hindi mo alam kung kelan ka tatamaan. There are days na ok lang, kaya kong dalhin. Pero may mga araw din na gusto mo na lang matapos lahat, kasi pagod ka na.
“My latest trigger was my short stint sa government coz everything changed and it got worse when I resigned and went back to the industry I thought I knew. Suddenly, I felt like an outsider. Parang first timer na I had to navigate my way through things again. I felt lost and displaced.
“For the longest time, I wasn’t really feeling anything. I was numb. The things that would normally make me happy or excite me, wala akong pakiramdam. I decided to see my doctor again when it started affecting my work and my relationship. I’m already introverted but at the height of my depression, i just wanted to be alone. Not get out of bed. No strength to get out of the room. Ayokong makakita ng tao. If I have work, kumakanta ako pero wala akong nararamdamang kaba, lungkot o saya. Walang empathy. Walang passion. Wala. Kumanta LANG ako. When it started to affect my relationship with Liza and other people I love, I knew I needed professional help.
“Bumalik ako sa doctor ko early this year and I’m glad I went back to her. I’m starting to feel things again. Mas na eexcite na ako ulit about life. Yes, there are moments na I feel sad but mas madalas na nakakaramdam ako ng saya. I have a strong support group and right now, I’m just happy to feel things again,” post niya kahapon sa ‘what depression looks like.’