Sofia Andres recently shared that she will not appear in showbiz-related projects for a month to deal with her anxiety disorder, raising awareness on how anxiety affects an individual.
The Kapamilya actress previously admitted that she was seeing a therapist for her anxiety.
In May 30, she shared on Twitter: “I have been struggling and don’t know how (I will) prevent it. Started going to a therapist and go counseling for a couple of times.”
“Anxiety is anxiety, we don’t know when is it going to attack you. Yes, I am always worried with everything. Literally everything.”
She also shared a more detailed account on her Instagram, noting that she supports anyone who is facing similar struggles.
Andres has openly admitted that she will “lie low for a month” to deal with her anxiety.
okay so i think many of you are looking for me on screen. i have decided to lie low for a month. it’s good to be focusing, & loving yourself when you know you are slowly losing yourself from pushing it too hard. i learned a lot of things, to appreciate more, to be more positive,
— Sofia Alejandre (@iamsofiaandres) June 12, 2018
i have declined blessings that was offered to me because i think i’m not ready yet, i’m not ready to give my all yet but hopefully soon. i’m really trying my best. thank you for those who have been so supportive and for those who never give up w their anxiety.
— Sofia Alejandre (@iamsofiaandres) June 12, 2018
i can’t wait for the time to love again, to love something, to love someone without worrying, & without overthinking. i wish i could stop everything all the negative thoughts but we are not our anxiety. we are strong, we are fine.
— Sofia Alejandre (@iamsofiaandres) June 12, 2018
Andres was part of ABS-CBN’s drama-fantasy series “Bagani,” where she played the role of Mayari.
How anxiety disorder affects actors
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorder can be further broken down:
- Specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear and worrying;
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD);
- Panic disorder and panic attacks;
- Agoraphobia;
- Social anxiety disorder;
- Selective mutism;
- Separation anxiety;
- Other specific phobias
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are also closely linked with anxiety disorder. Individuals are most likely to suffer from depression as well.
General symptoms of anxiety disorder include sweating, trembling, feeling nervous or tense all the time, having a sense of danger, increased heartbeat, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), having trouble concentrating and feeling weak and tired, among others.
In her Instagram post, Andres shared that she has been having anxiety attacks and that she has the tendency to overthink and worry all the time.
She added, “These past few days, I haven’t been replying to my friends. The reason behind it is that my brain’s a little messed up sometimes.”
“What that means in the simplest possible terms, is that a lot of time I feel very, very low. (I) think about bad thoughts and just spend time in bed.”
Drama therapist and actress Leith Taylor noted that acting can place a “mental strain on performers,” saying that they can suffer from performance anxiety and high levels of stress.
“Research over many years has acknowledged that those drawn to working in the arts tend to be highly vulnerable to depression and anxiety,” Taylor said.
She noted that it could be attributed to the fact that actors are supposed to feel “deep emotions” whenever they are playing a certain role and how they can identify themselves with the character.
“Actors frequently tap into their personal histories to evoke the emotions required to play a role. This can be traumatic if it triggers deep issues or elicits difficult experiences and memories,” Taylor said.
Andres has previously shared that she was bullied in school, with classmates calling her “mayabang.” This made her fear rejection, in turn making her feel inadequate and suffer anxiety. She also admitted that she was looked down as a “starlet.”
