Kapuso actor Kristoffer Martin, 24, had experienced anxiety attacks in the past, and it came to a point when he sought professional help.
The actor revealed his bouts of severe anxiety in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), at the pocket press conference of Dragon Lady, held last February 26, Tuesday. Bea Binene and Derrick Monasterio will also have special participation in the upcoming Kapuso afternoon series, which will premiere this March 4, Monday.
At the pocket presscon, we asked Kristoffer about his recent reposts of quotes, which were mostly about struggles in life.
The actor flashed a knowing smile, "Sabi ko nga, transparent akong tao. Sobrang transparent kong tao, in a way, sa social media kasi.
"Hindi naman siya parang to get sympathy sa mga tao. Kumbaga, it's me expressing na I'm hurt."
Then, he revealed, "Kumbaga, sa gano'ng paraan, naano ko yung…may anxieties kasi ako, e.
"Siguro sa ganoong paraan nare-relax, nawawala siya when I express."
However, he stressed that he has overcome that stage in his life.
"Kasi parang kung ano yung sobrang maiisip, maramdaman, ilabas.
"Pero ngayon, hindi na, sobrang controlled na, kasi andami ko na ring nakausap."
As a matter of fact, Kristoffer said that he has created a private account for his personal posts that only select people can read.
HURDLING BOUTS WITH ANXIETY
We asked Kristoffer to clarify what he meant by "anxieties."
"Siguro kasi… ayoko nang i-elaborate. Basta minsan, mas ayoko na lang mag-trigger siya ulit."
He continued, "Kumbaga, may mga times talaga na mapapaisip ka na lang sa life mo; yung struggles mo na parang you've been doing this for too long.
"Parang yung recognition, yung acknowledgement, yung roles and projects, parang hindi pa enough. Parang you're still proving yourself.
"Kumbaga gano'n naman talaga. Kumbaga yun na yung nari-realize ko nung past, na everyday kailangan mong i-prove talaga yung sarili mo, e.
"Hindi ka dapat puwedeng magpaiwan. Na kapag naiwan ka, kasalanan mo. Yun ang natutunan ko.
"So, na-overcome ko na talaga yung stage na iyon. So ngayon, okay na," Kristoffer said.
How did he overcome his anxiety?
"Kung ina-acknowledge mo naman yung feeling, you can control it. I-acknowledge mo talaga siya.
"Kasi kapag nagpakain ka, 'tapos hindi mo in-acknoweldge kung ano talaga yung nararamdaman mo, kung ano talaga yung problem kaya mo yon naramdaman, kakainin ka talaga."
What were the steps he took to deal with it?
"I talked to my mom. Sa girlfriend ko, kausap ko siya lagi. Ino-open ko talaga, kasi hindi ko talaga siya kaya.
"Kasi natuto na 'ko dati. Kasi may mga issues ako in life na sobrang lipas na, e, na once na ma-trigger yung certain emotion na iyon, idi-dig ko siya kahit gaano na kalayo.
"So, kailangan, kung naramdaman ko siya, ilalabas mo siya kaagad. Kasi kapag napuno ka, lahat lalabas na.
"Wala nang koneksiyon kasi naipon ka na."
GETTING HELP
We asked Kristoffer to give tips to people who also deal with anxiety attacks.
"Ako kasi… masyado mong kinikimkim. Kumbaga, ang tingin mo kasi, solo mo lahat.
"Kumbaga makikita mo madaming tao nagmamahal sa iyo, na handang makinig sa iyo, sumuporta sa iyo.
"Yung problema, andiyan lang iyan. Yung emotions kasi sobrang nao-overpower niya yung conscious mind mo, e.
"Na ang mangyayari kasi, mas magpo-focus ka sa bigat na nararamdaman mo kesa sa mga magagandang bagay na nangyayari sa buhay mo.
"So, hindi mo na mapapansin lahat ng magagandang nangyayri sa iyo kasi naka-focus ka sa negativity sa life mo."
Kristoffer also admitted to having suicidal thoughts in the past.
"Dadating at dadating talaga do'n, e. Aaminin ko dumating din talaga do'n, e.
"Pero siguro hindi pa gano'n kalala yung sa akin na to do it," he clarified.
"Kumbaga yung thought pa lang na... pero kasi whenever I think na gagawin iyon, may takot na rin sa akin.
"Sana hindi dumating. Pero feeling ko hindi, kasi kaya ko siyang labanan, e.
"Nararamdaman ko yung bigat, nararamdaman ko yung pressure.
"Pero hindi ko kayang gawin yung last na gawin."
He advised prayer to people who battle personal demons.
Kristoffer said, "Siguro pray lang, kasi sobrang lakas ng prayers, e.
"Ako kasi every night I pray, every time na makakaramdam ako ng bigat, I pray."
He admitted, "'Tapos nagsi-seek din ako ng help sa mga taong may alam, kasi I've done counseling din before.
"Hindi dahil… well, medyo malala, pero kasi pag hindi mo talaga kaya, you need to seek professional help."
He revealed this happened last year when he sought help from a counselor.
"Siguro ginawa ko siya for two weeks kasi kailangan ko talaga, e.
"Kumbaga minsan kasi, naba-block na yung ano mo na hindi mo na kayang makinig sa ibang tao.
"So, kailangan talaga ng mas nakakaintindi do'n sa sitwasyon.”
Based on his experience, what could trigger anxiety attacks?
"Madami, madami…" he answered. "It triggers all, one triggers all. Kumbaga, connected na kasi lahat."
Kristoffer again assured that he has been doing fine now.
"Okay na ako. Ayoko na siyang pag-usapan."
REMEMBER: There are people out there you can reach out to if you need someone to talk to.
To those who feel depression, call the following 24-hour hotlines: (02) 804-4673, 0917 558 4673, at 2919 (free for Globe and TM).