
TRIGGER WARNING: This article mentions attempted suicide
For the first time, actress Tuesday Vargas bared her soul on social media.
On Facebook, the actress-singer bravely shared her life story in a post titled "10 things most people do not know about me." There, she revealed her struggles growing up with autism, battling mental health issues, and raising a child as a single mom.
She shared that as the eldest and only child for 11 years, she learned independence at a very young age. This pushed her into entrepreneurship and eventually into joining a band.
Tuesday then revealed that when she was 12 years old, she was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and ADHD.
"Suddenly, my young life made sense. All that 'ang kulit ng batang yan!' was clear to me," she said.
She added, "I didn't take meds, I did cognitive behavioral therapy."
With her condition, Tuesday found it difficult to focus in school and to handle social interactions.
She also shared that she had to go through different kinds of abuse growing up, which she chose not to discuss further.
At 21, as a single mother with no job, no support system, and no future plans, she shared that she tried different kinds of jobs to support her son.
Normally, she said that she would not ask for help, but later on learned that this was one of the symptoms of having ASD and ADHD.
In terms of romantic relationships, Tuesday revealed that they all failed and left her alone. Still, she admitted, "My eyes were open when I entered these romantic involvements, and I am paying the price for all the wrong decisions I made. I learned that. I AM THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. I am the only one capable of loving myself the way I need to be loved."
After all she had gone through, she had been in therapy since 2018, but sadly, her condition worsened during the pandemic. She then revealed that she now suffers from generalized anxiety, PTSD, and panic attack disorder.
Despite her efforts to get better, she admitted, "I tried to unalive myself twice."
However, she reminded herself, "I am a fighter, a mother who is trying to become a person of value at the same time raising a son who I pray becomes the same- someone who doesn't give up easily or uses whatever 'condition' or its effects as a crutch to just sit idly by and let life waste away."
Wrapping up her lengthy post, she offered help for those who may be going through the same struggles.
She also reminded everyone to check on their friends before judging them.
"Especially those that smile and laugh a lot, those who are really good in social situations, those that do not ask for help. Your phone call might just save a life," she added.
Here are mental health hotlines and services in the Philippines: DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727; Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673, and 02-8804-4673; at In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944, and 02-8893-7603.
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