Tv and radio presenter Fearne Cotton was on RTE Radio 1 with Ryan Tubridy today, where she spoke about her new book and her struggle with depression.
The happy-go-lucky 35-year-old never ceases to entertain us on shows such as Celebrity Juice and Through The Keyhole, but it appears there is much more under the surface with Fearne.
In her new book, Happy: Finding Joy in Every Day and Letting Go of Perfect, the mum-of-two reveals a very different side of herself by admitting that she’s been battling depression for years now.
Speaking on air she said, “It was tough to write because obviously it’s very personal, but actually I found the whole process massively cathartic and really enjoyable.
“It’s taken me a while to feel comfortable enough to talk about something like that and deal with the varying reactions you’re going to get…I’ve always been along the line of thought that talking about stuff and being honest and open can only help.”
Although Fearne cannot pinpoint the first time she had negative thoughts, she recalls the feeling inside when she knew something was wrong.
“For me the warning bells rang, the length of time I was stuck feeling in one particular way, because you look at life and we’re all bombarded with emotions, and they flow in and they flow out.
“But I was very much stuck feeling quite numb about everything so I didn’t attach the usual enthusiasm and excitement I have in life and that left me feeling quite empty and lost I guess,” she said.
Fearne wants readers to know that her book is not a self-help guide, but rather a place where she shares her thoughts on her personal experience with mental health issues. She does hope however, that her story will encourage others to speak about theirs.
“The one thing I definitely would guarantee is that talking about it to either one friend or one professional or even being in a group of people who understand you is going to help.
“I would say these days, if I keep things truly simple, then I’m ok and ok is all good,” she said.