Carla, QLD

Hi my name is Carla, I am a 28 Christian woman, with 3 kids under 9, I have a loving husband and a fantastic job and supportive family and friends that care about me and are genuine...but it was not always like this, 'its been a long way to happy' - PINK

When I was in primary school, I was very very shy, and had maybe one or two friends. Everyone else bullied me, physically and emotionally.

In high school, my parents marriage was starting to fall apart, I had established myself as a tomboy and allied myself with people that were fake to establish more of a friend base than I ever had.
I lashed out physically, punching walls, kicking boys and headbutting, and earned the nickname balls, as they were afraid I had a set.

I felt ugly, big red nose, ears stuck out, and a boys haircut, when I finally started to mature and got some girl traits, I still felt I was not worth anything to anyone, 'friends', family let alone get a boyfriend.
I became bulimic, I stopped hitting people, but that was because they were too afraid to come near me . But I over exercised, and starved myself, then purge and overeat after and repeat the cycle.
I finally got a boyfriend, and he exploited my low self worth and esteem to boost his.

He turned me against my parents and the few real friends I had. My morals and beliefs everything I had left.

I developed a condition, which crippled me from pain in my abdomen from all the stress.

I had become depressed, desperate for affection, for other peoples approval or friendship. Wanting to please my boyfriend and bent to his every whim.

I finally got the courage to end it in my senior year, but kept falling into his bed.

Luckily, I found my husband and stood next to me as I built myself back up.

All these things I went through, I needed someone to talk too, who would make me feel secure and not judged for my actions. Even though I had no esteem I still had pride and could not talk to someone in fear that they thought was insane and further alienate myself.

headspace gave me a chance to get through all my old baggage so I could focus on my future. They are discrete, and professional and I felt nothing but warm and welcomed and support from all of them.
I still fight with my self confidence but I have learnt how to make the right decision for me.