A 46-year-old mum who lives in Catford has said she no longer feels worthless after publishing her first book.

Claudia Kelly does not shy away from her past suicide attempts and she explained to News Shopper how she was diagnosed with clinical depression and borderline personality disorder as a teenager.

Struggling to hold down jobs because of her anxiety, Claudia, who has always been imaginative, became consumed by writing.

“In 2015 I was cut off and tried to take my life a few times,” she said. “I just delved into writing to hold on.

“It is something I have that I can give to the world and it makes me think I’m not worthless anymore.”

In July Claudia published her book Garnished With Words, a collection of 25 short poetic stories inspired by personal experience and life observation.

Themes include child abuse, depression and human trafficking and the book was top of the free Amazon bestselling list last week.

Claudia admitted her writing obsession and habit of staying indoors means she does not have many friends.

However, she said the support from those close to her has been special.

“My mum and son are ecstatic and are so proud,” she said. “My friend Maria Brown has also been great and has made me feel good about myself.

“Without this book I wouldn’t have held on. I was very very tired.”

Claudia is aiming to publish her next book in September followed by two more afterwards.

Link to book here