Have you ever felt like suddenly out of nowhere you couldn’t breathe, and you feel like you are having a heart attack, and you get rushed to the hospital’s emergency room? Actress Matet de Leon gets that at least five times in a year. Guesting on Maja Salvador’s television program "Niña Nino," Matet shares to Gossip Girl about her GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) so that she can help other young people who are having depression and anxiety attacks during this pandemic.
“I noticed a lot of youngsters are now having breakdowns, they sweat profusely and start breathing heavily like there isn’t any more air. That is a panic attack, and it is an effect of an anxiety disorder. Parents, if you see them in your children, please send them to a psychiatrist immediately to get diagnosed. Your children’s mental health is important. I come from a generation where psychiatrists are deemed doctors for the crazy, but with what we have gone through for the past two years, everybody needs to have a 'mental wellness checkup' with a psychiatrist at least once in their lifetime."
I asked the actress what first triggered her panic attack, and she told me that several years ago, while baking with her daughter, a freak accident happened when she lit her oven and fire spread through her face. “Feeling ko niyakap ako ni Lord kasi pilikmata ko lang at buhok ko sa ilong ang nasunog. Even my daughter behind me was unharmed. But then the next day, I started catastrophizing, since my eyelashes got burnt I felt that the flames entered my eyes and that I was going to go blind. I started breathing heavily, and I felt like my heart was going to explode. My husband rushed me again to the E.R. and my trips to the E.R. because of panic attacks became constant. A fellow actor recommended me to a good psychiatrist who gave me medications, but aside from the medications, the good doctor gave me a Bible verse to read daily to prevent future attacks. It was from Philippians 4:8 - 'Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.' Ever since that time, I started reading the Bible and devotionals. And when I get my attacks, I read my favorite Bible verses like 1 Peter 5:7, 'Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.' Philippians 4:6-7 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' And Joshua 1:9 - 9 'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' "
The daughter of superstar Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon strongly suggests using the word of God as an anchor to hold on to. “The word of God has prevented my frequent visits to the E.R. and now I have minimized my medication and replaced it with prayer and meditation. Just trust God completely, it’s all about surrender.”