Matet de Leon opens up on what it's like to have bipolar disorder

Trigger warning: This mentions bipolar disorder and depression

Matet de Leon opened up on what it's like to have bipolar disorder during her guesting on Mikee Quintos's show, "Lutong Bahay."

Mikee and Chef Ylyt visited Matet and her daughter Mica for the show's latest episode, where they cooked tinolang manok and puto bumbong.

While cooking, Mikee asked the former child superstar if she observed symptoms of bipolar disorder in herself before she was diagnosed in 2022.

Matet shared that she didn't experience any symptoms of it until her doctor noticed signs of a manic episode from her.

"Hanggang 2022, wala akong nararamdaman na parang ganun na ako. Napansin ng doctor ko 'yung manic, pag-m-manic, 'yung pagbili masyado, paggastos nang hindi masyado nag-iisip, at tsaka 'yung medyo mataas 'yung energy masyado," she shared.

According to the Mayo Clinic, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes severe or extreme shifts in one's mood and energy. These include emotional highs like mania or hypomania and lows like depression.

She also said that she began taking medication for bipolar disorder when she experienced depression in January 2023.

"Nag-decide ako talagang uminom ng medication, magtake ng medication nung na-depress ako," she said. "Nung nag-extreme low ako na I have never experienced that in my life, ever, 2023 January, sabi ko, 'Doc ito na, iinom na ko ng gamot,'" she said, adding that it was her niece, actress Janine Gutierrez, who convinced her to take medication.

Matet also talked about how her family helped her in her journey, sharing that her daughter Mica would help prepare their family's meals when she cannot function.

"Hindi ka makagalaw, hindi ka makaligo, siya ang nag-aasikaso ng kakainin ng tatay niya, ng kapatid niya. Ito naman si Mia, syempre 'yung joy na binibigay niya sa akin, 'It's okay mama,' 'yung mga ganun."

She underscored that it isn't easy to have bipolar disorder, but noted that support from loved ones and her doctor help her keep going.

"Hindi siya madali. Mahirap siya, but with the help of your therapist, 'yung iyong doctor, psychiatrist mo or psychologist mo, 'yung tamang medication, at tsaka 'yung suporta at pagmamahal ng pamilya at mga kaibigan, 'yan ang magpapagalaw sa iyo."

Matet starred as Belen in "Black Rider," as well as "Love Before Sunrise" alongside Bea Alonzo. She also appeared in the Kapuso shows "InstaDad" and "That's My Amboy."

"Lutong Bahay" airs weekdays at 5:45 p.m. on GTV.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News