In commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Week, actress Maxene Magalona opened up to friends and followers on Instagram about her experience seeking psychiatric help with the hope of ending the stigma against mental illness.
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“I’ve always wondered why it’s socially acceptable for people with physical illnesses to go to the hospital for treatment while those with mental health conditions have to hide and pretend like they don’t have it?” she began on her post before revealing her story.
“A couple of years ago, I found myself under a lot of stress, dealing with bouts of anxiety and having episodes of rage. I was an adult having embarrassing tantrums but I couldn’t really understand where all the anger was coming from. When I was drunk, I would punch and kick doors, cry uncontrollably and scream as though I was calling out for help. This was the reason I quit drinking alcohol and finally began seeking psychiatric help early last year.”
She shared how reluctant she was at first about seeking help but found the courage to do so in order to discover the “root cause” of her problems. “To be honest, it was one of the best decisions I ever made,” she said.
“My therapist helped me figure out that I was experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition known as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or C-PTSD which is a psychological disorder that can develop due to prolonged and repeated interpersonal trauma. This was the reason why I was feeling helpless and had difficulty controlling my emotions,” she continued.
Since then, Maxene has been “taking the necessary steps to heal” through regular therapy, daily yoga, meditation, and prayer—all of which she talks about frequently on her social media.
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She then urged her friends and followers not to be ashamed of talking openly about their mental health struggles. “I believe it’s time we #endthestigma of mental health and start talking about it so that those who need help won’t be afraid to seek it. Remember that #youarenotyourmind and although thoughts can be overwhelming, trust that you have the power to heal your past traumas and pain,” she said.
“I’m actually glad I found out about my condition because it made me connect to God more than anything and I believe in my heart that He was the one who helped me through it all,” she added.
(ALSO READ: Paulo Avelino Opens Up About Struggles With Mental Health, Says “Never Lose Hope”)
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