Andrea Brillantes contracts COVID-19, opens up on insomnia and anxiety

Andrea Brillantes. Image: Instagram/@blythe

Andrea Brillantes has tested positive for COVID-19 and talked about her battle with insomnia and anxiety while under quarantine.

The actress admitted that despite being asymptomatic, her condition has taken a toll on her mental health, as seen in her interview with TV host Boy Abunda last Friday, Oct. 8.

“Okay naman po ako physically, wala akong nararamdaman. Mahirap lang po mentally,” she told Abunda. (I’m okay physically, I am not feeling any symptoms. It has been hard for me mentally.)

“Sa araw sobrang kaya ko naman lahat. Ginawa ko lang, I just read books. Pagdating po ng gabi, doon po ako nahihirapan,” she added. (During the day, I can handle it. I just read books. By nighttime, that’s when I find it difficult.)

According to Brillantes, her insomnia might have started after she began working in show business at a young age, which affected her body clock.

“Lagi po akong binabangungot, lagi akong nagkaka-sleep paralysis. So nagkaroon ako ng fear na matulog kasi may mga tao na nagkaka-heart attack sa pagtulog nila, hindi na sila nagigising,” she narrated.

(I always have nightmares, I’m always afflicted with sleep paralysis. So I had this fear of falling asleep because some people get heart attacks while they’re asleep and they don’t wake up anymore.)

Despite having grown up surrounded by family and assistants, Brillantes appears to handle her isolation well.

“Sa 18 years ko po, ito lang talaga yung nagkaroon ako ng quiet time alone for myself. Kahit takot ako, meron pa rin akong nakikitang happiness and peace,” she said.

(In my 18 years [of living], this is the first time I had quiet time alone for myself. Though I’m scared, I still find happiness and peace.)

Brillantes assured fans that she sought professional help to address her issues with insomnia and anxiety. The actress also learned to practice using “mind over matter” whenever she feels anxious about going to sleep while in quarantine.

“’Pag di ko siya iisipin (When I don’t think about it), it does not exist,” she told Abunda. “It only exists when you think about it too much.” JB

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