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Women are sharing their mental health glow-up pictures after a popular YouTuber with more than one million followers on Twitter opened up about her mental health transformation.
Social media personality Quenlin Blackwell who gained popularity with her beauty and comedy videos on YouTube says she has had to overcome anxiety, depression and an eating disorder, the Daily Mail reports.
READ MORE: Gigi Lamayne on how she plummeted into depression
While others can hide their mental health battles behind a smile, hearty laughter or a perfectly rehearsed act, Quenlin says she is stunned at how different she looked when she was depressed.
The YouTube star went on to tweet pictures taken before and after she started dealing with her mental health problems to capture just how different she looks and feels now.
“A mental health glo up. I’m so proud of myself dude. I literally look healthier,” she tweets.
a mental health glo up. I’m so proud of myself dude. I literally LOOK healthier pic.twitter.com/9znhU8nZt2
— queen quen (@quenblackwell) May 7, 2019
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) says depression is more common in women than it is in men. The group estimates that up to 70 percent of people suffering from depression are in fact women.
Quenlin’s openness and honesty motivated her many followers to open up about their own struggles with anxiety and depression, and to share complete transformation posts after their mental health battles.
A young woman who says she used to cry everyday, agrees with Quenlin saying the "glo-up" is very real, and posts her pictures to prove it.
I went from crying everyday to thriving and living the life I’ve always dreamed of. Mental health is important. The glo up is unreal. So thankful. pic.twitter.com/LioSmlVdhx
— Jada Allen?? (@_JadaAllen_) May 9, 2019
READ MORE: New study reveals that women are at higher risk of depression than men from working long hours
"Literally mental health affects your appearance so much I can’t even believe I used to look like that," tweets another.
literally mental health affects your appearance so much I can’t even believe I used to look like that pic.twitter.com/RWdfqAUecr
— Ashleigh (@ashleighfare) May 8, 2019
A woman who was inspired to also shares her own before and after pictures and says it's the two pictures that remind her of the beauty of life.
this is the content I’m here for. we have to recognize and accept our lowest self in order to truly heal. every day can be a battle, but these two pics, taken less than a year apart, always remind me of the beauty of life. pic.twitter.com/6eLrDDgVci
— Ruth Anderson (@ruthrutherson) May 8, 2019
"If anyone needed more proof .. no makeup in both but the difference is crazy," comments another woman.
Same, sis ?????? pic.twitter.com/tf5qhu5MFr
— ???? (@peep_shellez) May 9, 2019
mood pic.twitter.com/dNNSIQagDc
— w@ck (@cateosaurus) May 8, 2019
I started doing this and realized I haven’t fully emerged from my depression but I’m on my way pic.twitter.com/CQtEVIDHa9
— Adelie (@heyaddles) May 12, 2019
Same!!! So proud of you and everyone in the comments showing their progress?? pic.twitter.com/rtesZstqUj
— marshMELo????? (@barry_melissa) May 9, 2019
But of course, some people experiencing depression, anxiety and many other mental illnesses often look exactly like somebody who isn't.
A woman who goes by the name of Kaitlyn wanted to warn about the deception of appearances, highlighting that mental issues do not always manifest physically.
She tweets two pictures of when she was and wasn’t depressed and surprisingly looks carefree in both pictures, but notes she has since gained some weight.
A reminder that you can’t always see mental illness on the outside (depression doesn’t always look like sadness), but mental illness can affect your physical body. This is me at my lowest & me today. 30 pounds heavier and far more content thanks to therapy, meds, and meditation. pic.twitter.com/XJ7dVs4co9
— Kaitlyn Luckow (@kaitlynluckow) May 10, 2019
"A reminder that you can’t always see mental illness on the outside (depression doesn’t always look like sadness), but mental illness can affect your physical body," she writes.
The positive thread went viral, with more than 14 000 retweets, 500 comments and 140 000 likes, with Quenlin’s followers commending her for being candid about her challenges.
If you or someone you know needs help with anxiety or depression contact SADAG helpline: 0800 456 789
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