Behind the Facade: A Mental Health Memoir

by Lauren Bartleson

Raw, real, and heartbreakingly honest, Behind the Facade is one woman’s journey of overcoming everyday trauma.

To the outside world, Lauren Bartleson had it all: her dream job, an award-winning blog, and a picture-perfect marriage. Online and in person, she put on a smile, trying to convince herself as much as others that she was okay. In reality, she was anything but.

Behind the facade, Lauren was struggling to manage two autoimmune diseases, insomnia, chronic anxiety, deep depression, debilitating pain, and the long-term effects of extreme bullying, betrayal, and losing her soulmate. In her darkest moments, she considered suicide on a daily, often hourly, basis. No one, not even her family, knew how much she was suffering.

In Behind the Facade: A Mental Health Memoir, Lauren pulls back the curtain, giving a glimpse into the memories that she buried deep inside, never to see the light of day. By sharing the stories that are helping her heal, Lauren hopes to do her part in breaking the stigma around mental health and inspire others to feel less alone in their journey.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help

Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Hey there! I'm Lauren, a multi-faced writer based near Portland, Oregon. I'm the author of Behind the Facade: A Mental Health Memoir, through the darkness, a self-published poetry series, and Pushing the Leaves Aside: A Short Story. I'm also an avid reader and word game enthusiast.

Reviews

[Cassondra Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not read this book fast enough!

I related to author Lauren Bartleson’s story on so many levels. Behind the Facade is a raw and vulnerable account of one woman’s life. From the lows of childhood bullying, struggling with weight, bouts of depression and anxiety to the highs of finding true love, correct diagnosis, and becoming a competitive athlete, Bartelson has truly dealt with it all.

Bartleson is nothing short of courageous. She advocated for her own mental and physical health while laying it out for all to see. Her journey shed light into the medical world and how disproportionately available health care is for the American public.

I could go on and on about this book, but I don’t want to spoil anything. Just know that this is a phenomenal read and I cannot recommend it enough!

Special thanks to NetGalley.com and New Degree Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with access to this book for the purpose of the review.

As someone on their own healing journey I found Lauren's memoir to be an excellent read. I enjoyed how she showcased all aspects of her life. The good and the bad and all the in between. I was inspired to keep going with my own writing after learning about how the book came to be.

Some of my favorite parts of the book were about her relationship with her dad and mom and brother too. I enjoyed the glimpse into her family's dynamic and she wrote about it in a descriptive and engaging way.

I feel like this is a good book for a lot of the women I have met online that are struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. In fact, it would be great for therapists to suggest to their clients as well!

Bravo, Lauren! Thanks for keeping it authentic and letting us know it's ok to keep going even when it's difficult to do so.

[Lori Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I never thought a memoir could be a collection of stories over a lifetime. It’s different than the typical ones of day-to-day experiences, so I think it could be a new genre.

This book should be a best seller, not just because it is beautifully written, but because I think the author captures the experience of all young girls and women. Our fears and insecurities. The joy of being in a group of friends. Even their painful betrayals. I was happy and sad and angry, all at the same time.

It’s an incredible book.

[Rebecca Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the Facade gives you a raw, moving, insightful, and most importantly, unfiltered look into the feelings and experiences author Lauren Bartleson used to bottle up or hide from. Feelings and experiences that any of us can relate to, whether we struggle with mental health, autoimmune disease, past trauma, or even just "normal" everyday life.

Reading Behind the Facade, I felt immediately connected to author Lauren Bartleson, like we were having a heart-to-heart over coffee.

[Jen Welsh]

I enjoyed reading this mental health memoir over two sittings on a weekend morning. It read like a curated journal of Lauren's experiences with mental health. As a person with MH challenges, some sections were difficult to read but relatable. Writing can be healing for many people, and I hope writing this story was healing for the author. In the back of the book, the author lists several great mental health resources.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off thank you kindly to netgalley and the publishers for this arc. I am blessed to have been able to dive into this beautiful (yet sad) memoir.

This was a book I couldn’t put down, I am a huge advocate for all things mental health and as sad as some stories can be (with some of the most tragic outcomes) I love reading what people have gone through, their stories wildly inspiring. Lauren’s is just that. Her story jumped off the page for me.
It’s never easy to navigate mental health, but add on social media, work, and life and it’s easy to find yourself lost. Lauren has worked so hard to live a life she doesn’t have to hide under the covers for. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good But...

After reading this book and knowing what it's like to be hypersensitive to any real or perceived criticism, I almost hesitate to share my thoughts because I in NO WAY EVER wish to cause anyone pain and I think judging people is nasty. But although I liked the book well enough, I STILL feel that we maybe are just a little bit below the surface of Lauren's struggles during her bad time? Maybe my impression is totally inaccurate. If so, I deeply apologize! Or as with most things we do, maybe there are good reasons for not fully getting deep into the details of the struggles.
I could identify with some of her journey as far as being bullied in school due to weight. I know we aren't comparing numbers but I think I probably weighed and currently weigh more than the author. It certainly didn't help matters when I was hospitalized with covid, pneumonia and respiratory failure! I also think $$ makes a difference in just how well one is able to take care of themselves. There is NO WAY I could just allow myself to click a button and invest in programs for setting up websites and blogs, or diet programs, trips or meditations. I haven't seen my dad and step mom in decades as they live across the country now, I'm in upper New England and disabled. And I would not be able to just toss a bunch of groceries (I wish you'd thought to donate them to a food bank or homeless shelter) and go buy new ones. But we all are individuals and do things according to our own reasons and circumstances at the time.
I've struggled with depression and am also a writer but unfortunately I don't know anything about setting up a blog or website, taking photos, getting them on the website etc. Technologically impaired, yup, that would be me!
The book captures one's attention and holds onto it. I did find a few places where it was a little hard to follow whether you were referring to current time or past but maybe that was just me. I have been reading while running a fever.
Good luck to the author and husband. I wish them well!

[Alicia || NeverBoredWithABook ||]

Behind the Facade is Lauren Bartleson’s raw and emotional account of her life as she dealt
with extreme bullying both on and offline, anxiety, depression, body image, and health struggles. Covering from her childhood to present day, the book read a lot like a diary. The reader is not only told what happened, but is given an intimate look at Bartleson’s thoughts and how those traumas shaped who she became.

So much of what Lauren writes about deeply resonated with me. I don’t often read memoirs, but I am really drawn to ones like these that are so relatable. Having my own struggles with trauma, mental health, and illness, I often saw myself within these pages. What stood out to me most of all was the discussion around the facade we all put up. We are all guilty of pretending we are fine when we are not. Even if it’s not intentional. It can be something as simple as answering “how are you” with what we think the person wants to hear. Maybe it’s posting the “perfect photo” to make everything look fine when the reality is much different. Lauren’s honesty and vulnerability was refreshing, and it was uplifting to read how she has come to show the world her true self.

While I don’t give star ratings to memoirs (because who am I to judge someone’s lived experiences), this is definitely one I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of memoirs and books that explore mental health. A big thank you to Lauren Bartleson who sent me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Just a honest, simple account of a person’s life with the good and the not so good parts that most of us deal with, but don’t openly talk about. Lauren’s story really helped me to connect not just to her, but to myself. It’s refreshing to read such raw honesty in a world where all we see are photos and snippets of “perfection”. Thank you for having the courage to write this memoir…I know it wasn’t easy and I really appreciate you sharing your story and contributing to my healing journey and that of others I’m sure, because it really does help to take a peek “behind the facade” and see that we all share the same struggles.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit close to home....
The way everyone see you.... and what's really there....
Everyone hides behind their own facade..... allowing others to only see what's "great" and "put together"..
And we all hide the anxiety, our imperfections, our struggles, etc.
I haven't related so much to a book, to an author as I did with this book.
I had no idea this book was exactly what I needed when I hit "read" late one night but oh my, it was just what I needed at that moment.
This is a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and New Degree Press for providing me with an ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[jan henderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed in this book. It just did not seem authentic. She wrote for half the book about how great her life was and meeting her wonderful husband, then suddenly she plunges into depression? Sure there were some bullying incidents and she was struggling with her weight but she wrote about how well she did with her marathons and how much amazing support she always had. I have read dozens of mental health memoirs but this left me feeling - well - dissatisfied and quite frankly unimpressed. This is not a hate comment by the way - just an honest review!!

[Justin Shaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving you 5 stars not because I’m your brother, but because you are an incredible writer. It’s an interesting experience to read about the people you know best in life, your family. Throughout this read I was repeatedly astounded by two things:

You’re honesty.
You’re ability to so accurately capture the essence of a person in writing.

I am beyond proud of you for the life you’ve lived so far. I can’t wait to read whatever words come next.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enlightening book about the challenges faced through the weight loss/gain, as a social media influencer, facing depression, anxiety, and the effects those challenges cause in their future selves. I can see myself reflected in parts of this book and it was refreshing to hear the honesty portrayed. I’d recommend this book for anyone that has struggled with finding themselves throughout their life.

[Barbara Jaffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted memoir in which the author takes us on her challenging journey as she finds healthy ways in which to address her struggles. Her prose are authentic and honest. Her reflections of so many hard times actually help the reader address his/her own issues in a hopeful way. I highly recommend this book. A definite "Goodread."

[Terece Hahn Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing and relatable book that makes you feel seen, heard, validated especially if you have experienced mental health and chronic illness. Thank you for being brave enough to write your story down.

[Monica Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a wonderfully raw and personal memoir. Not for nothing, the playlist listed at the end with some songs that Lauren had listened to during tough times was personal and REAL and I can't wait to check the songs out. Music is therapy.

[Lilith LeVay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiration

I read this book quickly, and was amazed at your honesty and courage. Thank you, Lauren. You have affected, in a positive way, at least one of your readers, and likely many more.

[Michelle McGovern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren writes in a powerful way, covering events many of us can relate to...anxiety, bullying, health complications, etc. Her brave narrative is there to make the rest of us feel not alone.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! Very raw and touching

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book after winning a giveaway and found it so relatable, honest, and inspiring. A beautifully written memoir. Thank you for sharing it with me, Lauren!

[Amanda Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Great voice and very relevant!

[sandra terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved..

Loved the book, can relate to some of the content. I am my greatest critic, trying always to keep up with others.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with an amazing main character. You will find yourself a bit in these pages and in her story. Loved it from start to finish.

[Eileen Spillane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, vulnerable, raw and honest.

[Donna Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little afraid to read this book. But it is honest and and no matter how you find yourself in the stories Lauren tells ( good or bad ) there is hope.

[LibraryLove · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book read like a combination of journal entries, along with other life experiences. The author did a good job describing the bullying she experienced as a child and how it affected her.

While there were some good parts to the book, there was a lot of rambling and too much explaining things that weren't really relevant. I felt like I was reading someone's Facebook feed at times, and skipped through quite a few pages in the second half of the book. No one cares about the exact setup of her wedding, things said about her on a social media site word for word, or other "filler" to make a book. I also felt that the author wasn't fully honest with herself, like she was holding back as to not hurt people's feelings. I'm not sure the author has accepted who she is entirely.

[Lynn Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an easy read. It is moving as you look into the life of Lauren with her ups and downs with life experiences and the people she comes in contact. Sharing her mental health battles and how she deals with them.