
Trigger warning: This article has mentions of depression and eating disorder
Alma Concepcion guested on Mikee Quintos‘s “Lutong Bahay” where she got real about her experience with an eating disorder during her modeling days.
The actress and Binibining Pilipinas International 1994 graced the show with her dad, Jojo, on Wednesday’s episode, where they cooked lengua estofado with Mikee and Chef Ylyt.
At one point, Mikee said that it’s getting common for public figures to have an eating disorder and asked Alma if she ever experienced it.
Per Alma, she had an eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, from 14 to 16 years old. This was during the time when she was still doing ramp, commercial, and print modeling, prior to getting into pageantry.
“Ang papayat nila, hanggang sa sabi ko, parang competitive ako, sa sobrang paunti-unti, binabawasan ko ‘yung kain ko. Totoo palang nawawala ‘yung appetite, years na parang 5 p.m. na hindi ko kayang sumubo kahit na isang kutsara,” she shared.
According to the Mayo Clinic, those with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight. They often restrict what and how much they eat to avoid gaining weight or to keep losing weight.
Its physical symptoms include extreme weight loss, fatigue, swelling of arms and legs, dizziness, fainting, never feeling hungry, and getting full immediately after eating a small amount of food, among many others.
Alma’s wake up call was when her mother told her she would die from what she’s doing to herself.
“Dun ako nagising, ‘Anak mamamatay ka sa ginagawa mo.’ Isipin mo, years akong ganun nag-p-pretend lang akong kumain,” she said.
Therapy at the time wasn’t common yet, and she recalled that she prayed for God to bring back her appetite.
Alma also opened up about her bout with depression when she got pregnant at 23 years old and separated from her partner.
“I was five months pregnant, we broke up, so after that post-partum, and then no work tapos nun heartbroken ka, buntis ka, hindi ka makainom ng alak, hindi ka makagimik tapos I gave birth and then I was 200 pounds, so talagang wow.
At 28 she started having panic attacks. It was at the age of 30 when she finally decided to seek help, saying it was the best thing she’s ever done.
“Sa age 30 dun na ako nag-decide I needed help, so nag consult ako ng psychiatrist and then that’s the best thing that ever happened to me. That’s the best decision I made,” shared Alma.
“And may good news ako. Libre po ang consultation sa National Center [for] Mental Health. Nasa Facebook siya at libre din po ang gamot,” she added.
In August 2024, Alma guested on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” where she also talked about suffering from depression and urged people dealing with the illness to seek professional help.
Catch “Lutong Bahay” on weekdays at 5:45 p.m. on GTV.
— CDC, GMA Integrated News