Dannyka Manangan

Fifth Solomon on being diagnosed with bipolar disorder: ‘I’m getting the help I deserve’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p><em>Content Warning: the following article discusses issues on mental health</em><br/><br/>It’s been more than a decade since Fifth Solomon first got put in the spotlight as a housemate in the fifth season of <em>Pinoy Big Brother</em> along with his twin brother, Fourth. Since then, the talented PBB alumni has been putting his talents to good use as an actor, director, writer, and owner of a new fashion line.</p><p>But the road to success has not been easy for the 33-year-old artist. Earlier this month, he revealed on Facebook having to go to the hospital after experiencing a mental breakdown due to online bullying.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-24" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLQAmDXT3nK/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A24%2C%22os%22%3A8932785.6%2C%22ls%22%3A3069566.1%2C%22le%22%3A3070028.8000000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-24" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2018/9/14/fresh-scoops/fifth-solomon-shares-his-journey-from-pbb-housemat-48692"><strong>READ:Fifth Solomon shares his journey from PBB housemate to movie director</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>In his Instagram post last June 24, Fifth revealed that his doctor had officially diagnosed him with having bipolar disorder. He wrote, “Honestly, I kinda had a feeling for a while now. I’ve been battling depression and anxiety since 2021, but this past year hit different: super moody, always overwhelmed, snapping under pressure, jumping from one thing to another, overthinking even while talking to someone, forgetting what I was about to say, shaking my legs non-stop, shopping impulsively, being too energetic then suddenly hopeless, and drowning in emotions I couldn’t even explain.</p><p>&quot;I also noticed I went through phases of heightened urges or risky behaviors—emotionally, physically, even sexually. I didn’t understand it before, but I’ve learned that those can also be symptoms of bipolar disorder. Add to that my constant restlessness, fast-talking, sudden boosts of confidence followed by deep crashes. It was a rollercoaster I couldn’t name until now.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-26" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLR12muTkeB/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A26%2C%22os%22%3A8977626.9%2C%22ls%22%3A3069566.1%2C%22le%22%3A3070028.8000000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-26" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In the same post, Fifth admitted that there is freedom in finally putting a name to what he has been going through and apologized to those who may have misunderstood him before the diagnosis.</p><p>“Finally putting a name to what I’ve been going through feels like a huge weight off my chest. I started my medication, and for the first time in a long time… I feel like me again. I feel calm. I feel present. I feel in control.</p><p>&quot;To the people I may have hurt or confused along the way, I’m truly sorry. It was never my intention. I was struggling, and now I’m doing the work to be better. For myself. For my friends. For my team. For my family,” he wrote.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-28" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKzFc3bzBRp/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A28%2C%22os%22%3A8999109.799999999%2C%22ls%22%3A3069566.1%2C%22le%22%3A3070028.8000000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-28" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In a previous post this month, Fifth challenged those who hurled negativity towards him with a post on being self-confident. He wrote, “RETOKADA. FLOP. BALIW. MENTAL HOSPITAL. DDS. INCERUN. TOO FEM. Call me names. Laugh all you want. I’ve heard worse. Survived worse. I grew up with no blueprint, no guidance, no safety net. So I taught myself how to fight, how to bite back. The world isn’t kind. I stopped trying to be. Truth is, we all like to play clean but live dirty. Most of us enjoy watching others fall. Let’s not pretend. But me? You can’t bring me down. Only the people I love have that power. And even then, I’ll still get up. I know who I am. I know what I’m worth. No one gets to rewrite that.”</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2023/12/10/fifth-solomon-establishes-film-production-company-1438"><strong>READ: Fifth Solomon establishes film production company</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Fifth also stressed  the need for more awareness and understanding from the public when it comes to mental health in his latest post. “I’m sharing this experience not for sympathy, but to raise awareness. Mental health and mental illnesses are real and serious. Just because someone looks okay on the outside doesn’t mean they aren’t fighting battles we don’t see. There are so many people out there just trying to survive and feel normal. That’s why we need to take mental health seriously—not just when it’s trending, but every day. I want others who are silently going through something to know: you’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Mental health is health. And just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re weak or incapable.</p><p>&quot;I’m still me. I still have big dreams. I’m still a leader. And now, I’m getting the help I deserve, because I deserve to feel better. We all do.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-30" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK4TBA8TvU_/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A30%2C%22os%22%3A9071822.6%2C%22ls%22%3A3069566.1%2C%22le%22%3A3070028.8000000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-30" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2019/12/19/fresh-scoops/review-manilennials-takes-an-unfiltered-view-on-41406"><strong>READ: REVIEW: ‘Manilennials’ takes an unfiltered view on young professionals in the city</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Known for his avant garde taste in fashion, Fifth is also set to launch his own fashion brand called The Fifth this year. In one post, he wore his own brand along with the caption, “Fashion is my weapon of choice — and I’m officially claiming my crown as one of the biggest fashion icons of your generation. Watch out, my fashion line is launching soon and it’s about to slay. 💅👑”</p><div><em>* If you or a loved one is in need of help, contact the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) crisis hotline nationwide at 1553 or 1800-1888-1553; via Smart/TNT at 0919-057-1553; and via Globe/TM at 0917 899-8727.</em></div>

<p>Actor and director Fifth Solomon shares what he went through in order to help raise more awareness and understanding for those dealing with mental health issues.</p>

Actor and director Fifth Solomon shares what he went through in order to help raise more awareness and understanding for those dealing with mental health issues.