PRESS RELEASE
From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Caroline Bakker Turns Personal Struggle into a Published Book and Speaking Spotlight at Sharjah Reading Festival
Sharjah, UAE – April 2025
In February 2024, Caroline Bakker found herself at one of the lowest points in her life.
“I was battling crippling depression,” she recalls. “I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I had no motivation, no clarity—and I felt like I was failing at everything, especially motherhood.”
After years of pushing through what she believed were just mood swings, anxiety, and exhaustion, Caroline finally received a diagnosis that would change everything: Adult ADHD. Not long after, another revelation struck—she also had PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a severe hormonal sensitivity that magnifies emotional symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
“The moment I discovered the ADHD-PMDD link, everything clicked,” she says. “The emotional rollercoasters. The brain fog. The intense rage and sadness. It wasn’t all in my head—it had a name. And more importantly, it had hope.”
That hope turned into purpose.
Instead of hiding her struggle, Caroline began documenting her healing journey—through voice notes, journal entries, and long walks in nature with her daughter. Those raw reflections evolved into chapters, and chapters into a powerful book:
The Healing Journey: Navigating Adult ADHD and PMDD.
In less than a year, this once-private battle became a public message of resilience and transformation. Caroline not only self-published her debut book, but she’s now been invited to speak at the prestigious Sharjah Reading Festival on May 3, 2025, as part of an IngramSpark-sponsored panel titled:
“Beyond the Manuscript: Navigating Self-Publishing Success.”
A Panel with Purpose
Hosted at the Sharjah Expo Center, the panel brings together trailblazing voices in the world of wellness, mindset, and independent publishing, including:
Yasmen Ahmed – Best-selling author & CBT Therapist (@inspirewithyas)
Kim A Page – Communication expert & author (LinkedIn)
Dr. Adil Al Zarooni – Entrepreneur & strategic brand consultant
Moderated by Christopher Sako (Ingram Content Group, UK) and Hassan Ali (Lightning Source Sharjah)
Caroline will be sharing real-world insights on how she built her book launch from scratch, cultivated community support, and turned pain into purpose—empowering other authors and creatives to do the same.
From Healing to Helping
Through her work, Caroline advocates for holistic approaches to mental health, feminine well-being, and conscious self-leadership. Her message is simple but radical:
“Your struggles don’t define you. Your healing does.”
Her journey is living proof that a diagnosis can be the beginning—not the end—of something beautiful.
Event Details:
🗓 Date: May 3, 2025
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Intellectual Hall, Sharjah Expo Center
🎤 Topic: Beyond the Manuscript: Navigating Self-Publishing Success
For press, bookings, or interviews:
📧 caroline@carolinebakker.com
🌍 www.carolinebakker.com
