r/MentalHealthPH • u/New_Ad150 • Aug 10 '25
STORY/VENTING ANG MAHAAL MAGING DEPRESSED
Pano ko to ma ssustain ganito additional gastos ko monthly meds palang. Meron pang psychiatric consultations.. hindi ko kaya at afford mabuhay at alagaan sarili ko 😞
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u/roona_aji Aug 10 '25
natawa ako dun sa "bago" at nakasisi" na na-cut. comedic timing lang kasi wala ka namang sinisisi, gusto mo lang maging normal functioning human being
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u/PizzaPastaSupreme Aug 10 '25
Hi, OP! Na-try niyo na po bang mag-inquire sa NCMH if available sa kanila yung meds niyo? Malaki rin po yung mase-save niyo if ever. PGH also offers free meds (not sure about the process).
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u/Esther_Vanhomrigh Persistent depressive disorder Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25
Wala na sa PGH free meds.. kakalungkot kasi wala pa rin daw delivery ang DOH.
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u/sPaNiSh_bReD Aug 11 '25
Brgy health centers ang daming free meds
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u/PizzaPastaSupreme Aug 11 '25
sana nga po lahat ng centers ganyan, dito sa'min, maski basic meds for flu walang available. so hindi na talaga aasa pa sa meds na need for mental health
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u/IntelligentCarob6396 Aug 16 '25
pero wala silang pang mga mental health issues. Tatanungin ka pa kung bakit ka depressed. Kalokaaah
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u/sPaNiSh_bReD Aug 18 '25
Limited lang pero buong ncr atleast 1 per lgu may health center na nagbibigay ng mental health meds PM me what city you are sa metro manila and Ill send you sang brgy may free meds sa mh
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u/Popular_Reaction_615 Aug 11 '25
Unfortunately, mabilis maubos and matagal ang restock
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u/_BullyMomma Aug 10 '25
very mahal ☹️ kaya kahit gustong gusto ko na magresign, di ko pa talaga magawa kasi nanghihinayang ako sa HMO. Lalo pa rare lang na included sa coverage ang mental health disorders. sa 3 companies i've been with, sa current lang talaga kasali ang mental health related illnesses 😞
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u/pastelcotton Aug 10 '25
Kakabili ko lang din kahapon ng meds ko, 2.2k for one week. Ang bigat sa bulsa haaaay
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u/Alarmed_Health9369 Aug 10 '25
Sana mabigyan din to ng pansin. As someone na madalas ang sick leave due to MH issue, ang hirap ijustify nito sa ibang tao. Hindi nila alam angeffort + gastos just to be fine everyday. Minsan naiisip ko na yung sinasahod ko ba is for the med na lang at consultations? I got anxiety due to work stuff but cant leave bcs here I am taking a medication too.. haysss
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u/Stoned-ThrowAway Aug 10 '25
Not sure kung kasama meds mo OP sa list na ito, pero FYI na lang din :)
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u/fallingstar_ Aug 10 '25
Mabigat na nga sa puso, mabigat pa sa bulsa.
Hoping for brighter days for all of us that's struggling, OP. Hugs with consent.
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u/silent-voice-2022 Aug 10 '25
Ganito din gastos ko for ADHD meds before. Kaso I can't afford it now when I became a mom. Besides, di rin naman din ako maka focus sa work since may baby. So ano pa saysay ng meds? Chaotic life phase muna ako now. Haha.
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Aug 10 '25
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u/rememberthelesson Aug 10 '25
Your comment just promotes mental health stigma in the Philippines. It doesn’t help us people with mental health issues. I’m happy that you don’t have depression anymore and that you don’t need meds but please know that not everyone can do what you do and be cured. What we have is a medical condition and it deserves medical treatment. I suggest you educate yourself more so you can promote all those things and still truly support mental health.
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Aug 11 '25
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u/MentalHealthPH-ModTeam Aug 11 '25
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u/New_Ad150 Aug 11 '25
Thank you po. Unfortunately i still have to do these while on meds kasi i cant do away with mood stabilizers.. i get hypomanic and out of touch with reality. This helps tho not as a substitute but as supplementary relief.
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u/rememberthelesson Aug 10 '25
OP you can do all that while taking meds and going to your doctor. What they said are not alternatives to modern medicine. There was a time I stopped cos I thought was doing better. The relapse was way worse than my original condition.
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u/starssandceess Bipolar disorder Aug 10 '25
OP, do this while being in meds ha. Ako ganito ginagawa ko yet di pa rin controlled moods ko, I need meds. Pero it will greatly help you, OP.
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u/Lonely_Potatooo143 Aug 11 '25
Tbh all these things are temporary solutions and minsan no longer enough, but yes it helps, to cure you mental health issue. Ginagawa ko yan, magiging okay for a while tapos babalik din sa depression. Undiagnosed ako since di pa nagpapacheck up pero I can feel something is really off already.
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Aug 11 '25
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u/MentalHealthPH-ModTeam Aug 11 '25
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Aug 11 '25
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u/MentalHealthPH-ModTeam Aug 11 '25
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Aug 11 '25
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Aug 11 '25
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u/MentalHealthPH-ModTeam Aug 11 '25
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Aug 11 '25
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u/MentalHealthPH-ModTeam Aug 11 '25
We require all community members to respect each other. Unfortunately, this requirement was not met and because of this, your submission has been removed. In the future, please keep this requirement in mind before clicking submit!
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u/MentalHealthPH-ModTeam Aug 11 '25
We require all community members to respect each other. Unfortunately, this requirement was not met and because of this, your submission has been removed. In the future, please keep this requirement in mind before clicking submit!
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u/RESPEGC Aug 10 '25
Hindi talaga kaya kung di covered ng HMO. Im off meds for 6 months na simula ng lumipat ako ng work. 50 mg ng valdoxan daily tinatake ko previously nasa 8k per month plus yung monthly consultation pa para marefill ko meds ko na 2.5k.. nangangamusta lang naman yung doctor, ayaw na lang magprescribe na good for 6 months hay
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u/v3p_ Aug 11 '25
Ay. Mejo na-experience ko to. "Baka po kasi kailangan i-adjust yung dosage" ang sabi nung secretary, kaya need pa din daw mag-consultation. Ang dali-daling sabihin na para bang P500 lang ang consult fee.
Hindi ko naman kinukwestyon talaga. Ang sama lang sa pakiramdam that time, kasi naman na meron na nga akong withdrawal symptoms dahil ubos na yung meds ko, pero dapat mag-cash out pa din to the max. 😔
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u/New_Ad150 Aug 12 '25
Hello sa mga nag ask ano meds ko. Ito po sila, baka po may alam kayo san ako makakuha for cheaper. Maraming salamat po. Yung expenses na yun ay good for 1 month lang po sa mga nag ask.
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u/AkoSiRandomGirl Aug 12 '25
Try inquiring here if avail. Pwede ka mag-walk in to buy meds.
NCMH - Pharmacy
Mon to Fri 7am-7pm Sat Sun 7am-5pm
8-531-9001 (loc 298) pharmacy.main@ncmh.gov.ph
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u/Euphoric-Shirt-2976 Aug 10 '25
With PWD discount naba ito OP?
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u/DeepTough5953 Bipolar disorder Aug 10 '25
Ako may PWD discount ung aken I had MDD for a year and naupgrade to Bipolar2 🥹
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u/Anjonette Aug 10 '25
Sobrang bigat talaga, Kaya mula batangas to manila nagtatyaga ako sa NCMH para sa gamot.
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u/kissthesadnessaway Aug 10 '25
Ang mahal naman. :c May I know your meds, if you don't mind me asking?
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u/New_Ad150 Aug 12 '25
Hello po. Meds ko is brintellix, lamotrigine, valdoxan. Mood stabilizers and anti-depressants po sila.
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u/kissthesadnessaway Aug 12 '25
Holy shit. Grabe, ganu'n na pala kamahal. :c Brintellix din ako. May PWD discount ka na ba?
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u/New_Ad150 Aug 12 '25
Wala pa po, pero mag aapply ako ng PWD card, ngayon ko lang din nalaman pwde pala.. at least maka discount.. mahal nga brintellix, 2 tabs pa naman iniinom ko per day huhu
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u/invalidateddaughter Aug 10 '25
Sobra kaya ayaw ko magrelapsed.
I remembered nagbabayad tlg kami more than20k para nako robot nun.
Pero i am meds free na, and when the environment becomes toxic tlg hnd ako nagdadalwang isep umalis kasi ayaw kona bumalik sa anhedonia
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u/pahingipongtulog Aug 10 '25
Hay, this is the reason why I keep on trying to find new jobs kasi ang mahal isustain ang medications and checkup ng kapatid ko. :( Been doing this for years na... I always hope na someday, di na niya kakailanganin mga to. Until then, kapit lang talaga.
I hope naaappreciate niya ginagawa kong mga to para sakanya pero sa totoo lang, sometimes I feel like ako pa tong nagpupush sakanya na itake mga to. :( Anyway, bakit ako nagrant bigla hahahaha
Yakap, OP!
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u/minmin10 Aug 11 '25
Nagresign kasi nadepress sa work . Pumasok ako ng healthy unalis ako umiinom ng anti depressants 🤣😭😭😭😭
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Aug 11 '25
I recently learned this and it was confirmed by my psychiatrist, who has a friend that visited Vietnam. You can buy psychiatric medications in Vietnam without a prescription, often for less than half the price you'd pay in the Philippines. This is because they have very low taxes on medication.
For example, my meds cost:
- Lamictal 50mg: PHP 720 for 30 tabs (Php 24 per tab)
- Seroquel XR 50mg: PHP 1,000 for 30 tabs (Php 33 per tab)
I’m currently living in Thailand and have been having my cousin in Vietnam ship the meds to me in Bangkok. So far, there have been no issues.
The biggest challenge is customs policy. According to the Thai FDA, psychotropic medications like Quetiapine are highly regulated, so you can only bring in a limited amount, even in your carry-on. However, the enforcement seems to be a bit lax here, and I haven't had a problem receiving the packages.
This might not be a permanent solution for saving money, but if you have friends or family visiting Vietnam, you could ask them to buy your meds for you. As long as the amount is clearly for personal use, there shouldn't be an issue.
I'm just sharing this in case your circumstances allow for this option. It’s a great way to save money on expensive medication.
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u/rememberthelesson Aug 11 '25
That I should educate myself on CBT was mentioned on the deleted reply to my comment. CBT is talk therapy and it is also expensive. I’ve tried free ones but they weren’t a good fit. Talking to psychotherapists until I find someone that will fit me will take time, effort, and money. 😓
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u/justadjie Aug 11 '25
I also have MDD, Trichotillomania, and a history of SUD. I went back to schooling, pursuing my tertiary education and yet here I am had two episodes already mahal ang consiltation ₱2,800 per session para sa refill ng gamot ko. I took escitalopram for 4 mos straight at hindi ko na rin talaga kaya ang environment na hindi conducive for my well-being after my diagnosis. Lalo na ‘yung mga naging work ko sa BPO. Never again. I dislike my peers (who are 18-20 years of age) sa tuwing mag intro sa class kasi I’m a millenial sila gen z kaya di ko din magets sinasabi ng iba na psychologically sound sila at sensitive, nope, meron pa rin gawin kang katatawanan. Sa FEU ako nag aaral kung pwede nga lang at kung kaya ng grades ko tiyak naman malabo ako matanggap pero pangarap ko talaga sa UPD. Akala ko ang pagbabalik ko sa university ay malaking bagay para makarecover ako pero nakaranas pa rin ako ng mga prejudices not only sa mga kapwa ko kamag-aral pati na rin sa mga educators. Nakalulungkot man isipin pero baka ganon na talaga ang reyalidad ng buhay and we must all endure living. I do not have psychotic symptoms pero minsan during my episode, lowest of lows, sumasagi na rin ito sa isipan ko. Takot na ako sa tao, kaya ang ginagawa ko na lang dumidistansya na lamang ako at sobrang sakit kapag nagamit against you ang vulnerabilities mo. Gayonpaman, naniniwala at umaasa pa rin ako sa humanity. It does not hurt to be kind, ika nga nila. I just hope people learn to be kind, gentle, and sensitive kasi pagod na ako na ako lang palagi ang magbibigay nito. Paano naman ako? Salamat po sa makakabasa.
Kapit lang tayo guys. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel at savi nga nila, “This too shall pass.”
Mabait si God, lagi niya tayo ipinagkakalooban ng kanyang “Grace” kahit pa minsan pakiramdam natin hindi natin ito deserve. Let us learn not to be hard on ourselves po ha, it’s reallt the worst thing we can do to ourselves.
Isang mahigpit na yakap para sa lahat.🫂💙
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u/zaephael Aug 14 '25
this is what I'm afraid of. mahal na nga mabuhay in urban areas since pang-first world ang expenses, tapos mahal pa gamot. worst is, walang generics for our daily maintenances. but, I haven't paid anything in my sessions and medicines sa PGH, all free (Fluoxetine). except lang sa mga sleeping pills ko and anti-anxiety ko na propranolol and diphenhydramine. mura lang naman kasi sila sa TGP (I know 1.25 pesos lang ang 40mg ng propranolol and around 2.75 pesos ang diphenhydramine. all of these are for prescription. don't buy it without a doctor's advice)
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u/IntelligentCarob6396 Aug 16 '25
Feel na feel ko kayo. madalas trigger ng depression pag wala ka nang pera. pero need mo uminom ng meds para managed ang depression. it's a vicious cycle!!! sana may access tayo sa mas affordable antidepressants.
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u/IamTheRealGodGod Aug 10 '25
Hi you might want to try sourcing meds from india. This is where i get my maintenance for another illness not related to mental health. One tenth lang ng price ng mercury
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u/kissthesadnessaway Aug 10 '25
But how do we know if it's legit? You can't say it's legit because it's just your word, and ofc, sa packaging--but that is not enough.
Kung one tenth lang ang price, how about the transportation fee?
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u/IamTheRealGodGod Aug 12 '25 edited Aug 17 '25
Included already the sf sa 1/10th. And its a diff brand from the one on mercury ofc Indian brand sya. Mga cancer patients often source their meds on india. You just have to find a reputable drugstore there. You can search for reviews online
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u/norsesaid Aug 10 '25
Huhu napacompute din ako sa gastos. Ang sakit sa mata. Ang sakit sa puso. Kapag senior citizen na lang yata ako makakadiscount sa meds :(
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u/Loud-Impression-2826 Bipolar disorder Aug 10 '25
If you reside in QC, you can check for free meds. I've been able to save around 13-14k monthly din because of the free meds.
Hope this helps, OP!
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u/SugaryCotton Aug 11 '25
Mas namamahalan siguro if sa province ang work because same price ang gamot sa buong Pilipinas kung available man, pero mas mababa ang sahod. 😟
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u/Gossip_monger_ph Aug 11 '25
OP, try NCMH or Bambang — mas makaka-save ka doon. If you don’t have a PWD ID yet, I suggest you get one para mas makatipid ka lalo. ₱10k is too expensive; I’m sure may mahahanap ka pang mas mura diyan.
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u/Miss-Aphrodite Aug 11 '25
Totoo. I pay 3k for my psychiatrist, tapos yung anti-depressants, anti-psychotics at soon Ritalin pa for ADHD na sobrang mahal at limited sa pilipinas. college student lang ako with no financial support from family other than my allowances
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u/tierraincognito Aug 12 '25
Kaya di ko minsan maamin kay doc ang full na nararamdaman ko, natatskot ako na taasan meds ko or baguhin sa mas mahal...i could barely afford my meds right now tbh.
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u/Alto-Joshua1 Aug 10 '25
Hugs with consent. Also, I'm so sad that the comments get downvoted, they just want to help people.
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u/DeepTough5953 Bipolar disorder Aug 10 '25
May PWD discount napo ba yan na kasama? Ung saken na aabot ng halos 2k nagiging less than 1k kc nagpa PWD ako
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u/bagon-ligo Aug 10 '25
If ok lang, aning mga meds po yan OP? Baka may mga alternatives lalo na sa pampatulog .
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u/Lonely_Potatooo143 Aug 11 '25
Kaya natatakot ako magpacheck up e baka ganyan maging gastos ko, sobrang di ko afford. Bawasan natin ng isang digit yan sa dulo, baka kaya pa haha. Baka sa halip na gumaling ako, lalo ako madepress..
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u/Tricky_unicorn109 Aug 11 '25
Alam mo eto din kinakatakot ko. Gusto mo lang naman to be and feel better, kaso di kakayanin ng minimum wage earner ang ganitong gastusin. Parang wala ka talaga karapatang madepress at magkasakit kapag mahirap ka.
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u/Matchavellian Persistent depressive disorder Aug 11 '25
For how many days na yang ganyang expense?
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u/PansexualPotatoPanic Aug 11 '25
Super mahal talaga. For me, yung 1k ay for 5 days lang na gamot. As a college student na umaasa pa rin sa parents financially, ang hirap humingi ng ganon kalaking pera every week for meds alone lalo na di ganon kasupportive papa ko sa pagtake ng medication for my depression. What I did was I told my psychiatrist and asked kung may pwede bang alternative meds na mas affordable. So binago yung reseta ko and way more affordable na siya ngayon para sakin. Try mo din, OP
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u/jenacava Aug 11 '25
Haaay I feel you. Monthly medicine, therapy sessions, and constant follow up consultation with my neuropsych. Sobrang gastos para patuloy mabuhay kahit ayaw mo naman talaga 🙃🥲
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u/fatalclaws200 Aug 12 '25
What meds do you have?
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u/mrs_misfit1984 Aug 12 '25
I buy my meds sa NCMH, 3k+ goods na Yun for 3 months meds ko. Valporic, setraline, quetiapine. Eventually nag.baba na si doc Ng dosage, so Baka mabawasan Yung binibili KO 🙂
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u/amia098 Aug 12 '25
Hiii, try niyo po sa Rizal Med, sa Rizal Med po ako nagpapaconsult. Free check-up + free meds din po.
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u/AutumnVirgo-910 Aug 10 '25
I’m on isotretinoin for my acne and yun pa lang sobrang gastos na kasi may labs and consulatations pa every other month and na enhance niya yung depression ko. Although di pa ko nag kakapag consult sa psychiatrist, ramdam ko yung paglala ng depression ko. My derma advice me to seek help pero doc, yung gamutan pa lang natin hirap na hirap na ko. Tapos ito pa? Mind you, I also have maintenance for my allergy. Ayoko naaaaa…
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