Fearne Cotton has opened up about her own battle with depression and how she overcomes it in her new book, Happy.
The 35-year-old has penned the self-help book in the hope to help others with depression.
In the honest memoir about going on a journey to find your inner happiness, the presenter shared her experiences with depression and how it made her feel ‘heavy’ because she didn’t know what was wrong.
The mum-of-two has also detailed different methods that have helped her over the years.
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Compare and despair
Appearing on Lorraine, Fearne spoke about her book and revealed her desire to help others that have suffered from similar experiences to her in the past.
While doing so, she claimed that social media plays a crucial part in how people perceive themselves.
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Fearne said: “I think all of us are trying to do too much. We presume everyone has it sorted.
“It’s that compare and despair thing.
“You think you’re floundering, but that’s never really the case.”
Speaking honestly, Fearne said: “I think having a period where I felt really unhappy, it was obviously really difficult, but I have learnt so much.
“My perspective changed when I came out of the fog and now I feel ok and I’ve made peace with myself.”
Lack of energy
Fearne has revealed that she learned that she was suffering from the mental health disorder during her time as a mid-morning presenter on Radio 1, calling it a ‘tough time’.
The Celebrity Juice star recalled: ‘I had a real lack of energy. I felt so drained and my lust for everything that I love wasn’t there anymore.
‘I’m very optimistic by nature, I wake up in the morning and I’m very excited about my day, I’m so pumped and enthusiastic about the smaller things in life and that was dead.
‘Everything was a drag and felt heavy. I felt anti-social, cut-off, alienated and they were massive warning signs. Everyone has that light-bulb moment that they need to do something differently, but for me, it was feeling stuck.’
Happy
The mum-of-two explained why she wanted to create her own self-help book, she added on Lorraine: “Depression being a mental health illness, it’s tricky to define.
"It’s so vastly different - everyone’s experience is different.
“Talking about it helps other people out there.”
Fearne also revealed how she managed to overcome her issues.
“The simplest things,” she insisted. “They are always the best. Things like fresh air and having a walk… things I enjoy, that make me tick daily, cooking, being with my kids… painting.
“Concentrate on doing those things well and regularly.”
Fearne has also added that she felt a sense of ‘relief’ when a doctor was able to tell her what was going on, diagnosing her with depression.
She also recalled that her diagnosis enabled her to re-shift her focus and stop chasing perfection.
She said: ‘Letting go of ‘perfect’ was important. I was trying to do so many things and putting so much pressure on myself – and why?
‘Perfect doesn’t exist. I cut back a lot of work, and focused a lot more on family.’
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Mental health charity Mind
It has since been announced that Fearne has become an ambassador for mental health charity Mind.
Fearne says: “Through my new role as a Mind ambassador I would like to try and help stop the subject of depression being such a taboo. Depression is more common than people realise and one in six people will experience it during their lifetime. It was one of the most difficult things that I have ever faced in my life.
“I hope that by speaking out about the challenges I faced it might just help others going through similar experiences. I am absolutely delighted to be joining Mind and helping the charity to raise awareness of the many ways that people can build their own resilience and maintain good mental wellbeing.”
Mind provides information so people can make their own choices and access the treatment and support that is right for them. In 2015-16, Mind supported 16.7 million people with their online information and answered 60,000 queries on their helplines. Mind hopes, with Fearne’s backing, to reach even more people experiencing a mental health problem and support them in staying well.
Paul Farmer, CEO for Mind says: “We are thrilled to have Fearne’s support and know that her candid and open approach to her experiences of depression will empower many people to start a conversation about their own experiences.”
“Talking about your mental health is the most powerful tool in breaking down the stigma that sometimes still surrounds mental health. Everyone has mental health, so it’s important for us to all play our part in changing attitudes as well as paying attention to our own mental wellbeing and supporting our loved ones.”