Kara David Opens Up About Living with Bipolar Disorder

Last July 29, broadcast journalist Kara David appeared on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, where she addressed several recent headlines involving her—from Boss Toyo's comments about her I-Witness documentary Ibinasurang Paraiso to tying with content creator Ivana Alawi for Best Host for Public Service at the inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Awards. The interview also delved into more personal territory, as Kara candidly discussed living with bipolar disorder.

Having long been open about her diagnosis, Boy asked Kara to share a message for those living with bipolar disorder and for the people supporting them. She responded, "If you learn to accept it and you learn to seek the right help, it's a gift. It's not a curse."

"It is called a 'disorder,' pero in my case, dahil natuto akong yakapin 'yung aking condition at humingi ako ng tulong sa mga doktor at pinaliwanag ito sa aking pamilya, I actually view it as a gift. It's my superpower."

She went on to explain that people with bipolar disorder experience two phases: a manic phase and a depressive phase. According to Kara, the manic phase is "the time that you're super creative, mabilis mag-isip, ang lakas ng loob mo—all those things 'pag managed well."

Kara shared that she has experienced moments when she was able to write scripts quickly, approach situations more boldly, and think on the fly. However, she emphasized that it's important to manage the condition well to avoid crashing afterward.

"You can't do it alone," she said, underscoring the importance of seeking professional help and surrounding yourself with a strong support system.

She added, "Sana 'yung community, hindi kami tinitignan as 'baliw,' 'loka-loka,' 'krung-krung.'"

The broadcast journalist concluded, "Kung matututo kang tanggapin 'yung condition mo, you can make it work for you, not against you."

According to the Cleveland Clinic, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition "that causes strong mood swings." As Kara David explained, it involves episodes of mania—a "period of high energy and euphoria"—and depression, or "a period of low mood and low energy."

During a manic episode, a person may feel full of energy and "act without thinking or feel unusually happy." A depressive episode, on the other hand, is marked by feelings of sadness, fatigue, or hopelessness. There may also be periods of a steadier mood—known as euthymia—between these episodes, which can last for days, weeks, or even months. While bipolar disorder can affect a person's daily life and routine, it can be managed with the help of a healthcare provider.