Cita Astals says it was a mistake to admit her mental illness: 'I was thinking people will understand but they don't'

Cita Astals appeared on the vlog of Kapuso journalist Susan Enriquez, where she shared what she's been doing now that she's out of the public eye and opened up about her mental illness diagosis.

According to the former comédienne and politician, she was diagnosed with the bipolar disorder in 2011. "Dapat confidential yan, ako lang ang nagkamali," she said. "I was thinking people will understand but they don't."

"I was hoping my coming out in the open will help people understand and cut down on stigma, kaya lang hind rin nangyari," Cita said. "Ang problema, sa tagalog, any mental illness naka-lump sum na 'baliw'."

In the interview, she shared the consequences of her decision to admit her illness. "Any mistake you make, anything — you're walking down the street, [you'll hear people say] 'ayan naglalakad na naman kasi na baliw na naman.'"

"Minsan mapapa-away ka kasi may mga tao — andiyan ka nakatayo, lalapit 'baliw yan.' Pag binalikan mo, they deny it."

According to Cita, everything started in "2009-2010, nung ninakaw yung lupa ng mommy ko sa Mindanao. Yun ang puno't dulo."

She claimed she was "tortured for about two years and had me dubbed as insane para hindi ko ma-claim yung property."

"Ang problema they rehash it every seven years," Cita continued.

During the interview with Susan, she explained that bipolar "is not a thinking disorder. It's mood disorder" and that she's taking medicine for it but "on very low dosage."

"It comes with extreme stress but once uminom ka ng gamot, you're fine," she said.

According to the Mayo Clinic, bipolar disorder "is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. Hypomania is less extreme than mania."

Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder has several types including Bipolar I, when the patient has had "at least one manic episode that may come before or after hypomanic or major depressive episodes."

"In some cases, mania may cause a break from reality. This is called psychosis," Mayo Clinic said.

Bipolar 2 is when the patient has had at least "one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode."

Bipolar disorder is lifelong condition that can be managed with a treatment plan.

Cita is best known for her role as Hilary in "Home Along the Riles." From showbiz, she went into politics, and served as a councilor in Manila for three terms, before she tried to run again in 2016 as congresswoman for a party list.

These days, Cita lives in Dasmariñas, Cavite, surrounded by helpful neighbors whom she introduced Susan to. She also showed the Kapuso journalist around, taking her to her favorite carinderia where her favorite Bicol express is served. She spends her day reading and researching.

"My mental health is fine," Cita said. "Emotionally I'm pretty OK considering all the harrassment I'm going through." — LA, GMA News