Mental health disorders and issues affect millions of people around the world, yet these are often overlooked and dismissed. Many individuals struggle with one or more conditions--such as depression, anxiety, and other related disorders--without receiving proper care and attention..
In the Philippines, one of the most common mental health issues yet misunderstood condition if bipolar disorder. This is characterized by extreme mood swings that range from emotional highs (mania) and and intense lows (depression), often disripting a person's daily life, relationship, and well-being.
According to the World Health Organization, over 520,614 people were diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020. In recent years, several celebrities bravely admitted their diagnoses to help break stigma and raise awareness about their condition.
Take a look at these Filipino celebrities and personalities who were diagnosed with bipolar disorders in this gallery:
GMA News reporter and documentarist Kara David shared during her interview on 'Updated with Nelson Canlas' podcast that she joins marathons to help with her bipolar disorder.
Kara shares, "Matagal ko na yong alam na I have bipolar disorder. And kapag meron kang ganung klaseng kondisyon, 'yong manic depressive, one way para hindi naman ma-cure, pero ma-manage mo 'yong iyong mental health issues mo, ay to go into sports."
'StarStruck' alumna Iwa Moto constantly reminds herself, "I am a warrior" as she struggles every day against her mental health conditions. The former actress previously admitted that she was bipolar and was diagnosed with severe panic attacks, PTSD, and RLS.
It took almost 13 years before actress Meryll Soriano could accept that she has bipolar disorder. In an interview on 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' in June 2024, the actress shared that she has been diagnosed since she was 17, and was only able to accept her condition when she was in her 30s.
Former actress and politician Cita Astals was hospitalized for two months in 2011, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She shared, "I had to start my life all over again. I literally came out of the hospital with a bag of clothes."
Most recently, actor and director Fifth Solomon bravely opened up about his bipolar disorder and turned it into a source of purpose and hope for others. He also revealed in an Instagram post that he had long suspected his condition.
In a recent interview on Lutong Bahay, actress Matet de Leon shared that up until 2022, when she was finally diagnosed, the actress did not feel like she had bipolar disorder. "Napansin ng doctor ko 'yung manic [episodes ko] like pagbili masyado [at] paggastos nang hindi masyadong nag-iisip. At saka [napansin din] 'yung medyo mataas 'yung energy [ko]," Matet shared.
Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre actor Kelvin Miranda opened up about his mental health struggles in an interview on Toni Gonzaga's online video series, Toni Talks. He shared that he had been diagnosed with bipolar I, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mild dyslexia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
2016 Miss International and actress Kylie Verzosa revealed why raising awareness about mental health was so important to her: because she has personal experience with depression. In an interview on 'News to Go' in November 2016, Kylie shared that aside from family members who went through bipolar disorder and depression, she went through those same mental health issues herself.
Kapamilya actor JM de Guzman has always been open about his mental health disorders. In 2015, the actor admitted on a now-deleted Instagram post to battling anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Beauty queen and actress Miriam Quiambao admitted on Toni Talks in August 2024 that she felt devastated and struggled with suicidal thoughts and bipolar depression. "Ang taas-taas ng expectation ko tapos ganito. I was suicidal. I was ultra-depressed and diagnosed with bipolar depression," she revealed.