What bulimia and depression had to do with Mark Anthony Fernandez

On "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho", actor Mark Anthony Fernandez clarified issues about his so-called ‘drug use.’

Despite his reputation for being a drug dependent, Fernandez said that he was never really addicted to drugs.

In fact, when he was admitted to a facility in his younger years, it wasn’t for a drug problem. He said he became depressed because of family issues. “Buti na lang inimbitahan ninyo ako rito for the first time, and I got to explain my side kasi I was never asked, ‘ba’t ka na-rehab dati?’ Hindi nila alam na it was for a family problem.”

He added that not all people know that drug rehabilitation facilities also treat disorders like depression. “It could be used for juvenile purposes also or depression. Not just addiction. ‘Yun ‘yung reason ko noon ba’t ako na-rehab. Ngayon, nagka-stigma ako and people never really cared to ask.”

In 2016, Fernandez was arrested with illegal possession of marijuana. He defended himself and said it was for medicinal use but was put behind bars anyway. Fernandez explained he had bulimia — an eating disorder wherein patients throw up shortly after eating food to prevent weight gain  — and was treating this with marijuana.

“Wala po akong problema sa drugs, wala po akong addiction problem or drug dependency… in fact galit din po ako sa mga ganun. Ginagamit ko po ‘yun para sa bulimia ko.”

Fernandez had been suffering from bulimia since he was nine years old. He recovered at the age of 21 but when his father, the late actor Rudy Fernandez died, Mark admitted to going back to marijuana. “Siyempre illegal pa rin ‘yun, so consult your doctors to know how to deal with it,” Fernandez said.

A month since his release, Fernandez said he's been cured from his depression and bulimia. With his return to show business in the works, he said: “This is the happiest moment of my life, nung nabigyan ako ng second chance.” — LA, GMA News