Photo from Xyriel Manabat's Instagram account.MANILA — Young actress Xyriel Manabat revealed that she battled anxiety and depression when she was 12 years old.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' digital show "On Cue," the actress said this happened after she decided to go on a hiatus from showbiz to focus on her personal life.

"May times na sobrang lala, as in. Hindi ko maintindihan 'yung sarili ko, literal na may uncontrolled incidents na bigla-biglang nandiyan 'yung hindi ko alam. Nagbibilang lang ako ng fries, umiiyak na ako," she told Gretchen Fullido.

Manabat recounted how difficult it was for her family to handle the situation.

"Natutulog na kami sa sala kasi, hindi kami pwedeng matulog na hiwa-hiwalay na room kasi nga bigla-bigla akong nati-trigger nang hindi namin alam lahat. And first time siguro sa family ko 'yun kaya hindi rin nila alam kung paano i-handle properly," she said.

"Nagiging tensionado kami lahat kasi hindi namin maintindihan at all. May times na nagkakaaway kami to the point na hindi na namin natutulungan 'yung isa't isa, naging sobrang toxic ng household. Kaya kinailangan ko nang mag-meds, kailangan ko nang mag-seek ng professional help," she added.

Manabat said what worked for her were therapeutic activities and bonding with her peers.

"Sadly, hindi siya (medicines) nakatulong kasi lalo lang akong naging worse. Ang kailangan ko talaga is therapeutic activities, kailangan kong lumabas, kailangan ko ng mga taong nagfi-feed sa akin ng good aura, positivity," the actress said.

"Kailangan ko lang makita 'yung beauty ng nature, sobrang ganda ng nature, sobrang helpful ng view, ng breeze. Ang saya-saya 'pag umaalis nang biglaan, ang saya," she added.

Asked for her advise to other young people facing a similar situation, Manabat said: "Marami rin po akong pinagdaanan na I'm sure pinagdaraanan niyo ngayon, kailangan niyo lang pagdaanan 'yan. Walang words, walang kahit ano'ng bagay ang makakapagpa-change niyan or biglang makakapagpa-transform sa 'yo into a matured or a better version of yourself, ikaw lang."

"Hanggang sa madaanan nang madaanan mo lahat ng obstacles, lahat ng struggles, doon mo makakamit 'yung mindset, na alam mong fit sa personality mo, na alam mong makaka-help sa 'yo to become the best version of you. So kailangan mo lang pagdaanan 'yan. Hindi mo kailangang pwersahin or bigyan 'yung sarili mo ng ultimatum kung kailan ka magma-mature, kung kailan ka magiging successful," Manabat said.

"Kasi the more you force yourself to achieve something na hindi ka pa ready i-achieve, 'pag na-disappoint ka or 'pag hindi mo siya na-achieve by that timeline na binibigay mo sa sarili mo, made-depress ka lang, mapu-frustrate ka lang. Hindi 'yun nakakalapit sa goal mo, hindi ka lalong lumalapit, lalo ka lang nagho-hold back 'pag ganoon. Kailangan mong maging free, kailangan magaan lahat habang ginagawa mo, at matututo ka sa bawat bigat at gaan na pagdadaanan mo," she added.

Right now, Manabat said she is looking for more stability but at the same time enjoy the fruits of her labor.

"Gusto ko po ng tamang pag-handle sa life, sa financial, gusto ko pong ma-maximize 'yung craft ko, parang gusto ko pong mag-explore sa industry. Gusto ko pong walang sayanging opportunity. Gusto ko po hangga't maaari, tatanggapin ko po lahat ng binibigay na opportunity na kaya ko pong gampanan and kaya ko pong bigyan ng justice," Manabat said.

"Ngayon nag-iinvest ako sa happiness, nag-iinvest ako sa personal na alam kong kailangan ko and makakatulong na mapasaya 'yung aura, mabigyan ako ng stability, ng peace of mind, doon ako nag-iinvest. Hopefully soon sa business naman."