Model Olivia Culpo shares raw post about depression, social media

Olivia Culpo is speaking out about the dark side of social media and false perceptions attached to the platform.

The model, influencer and former Miss Universe recently shared two photos of herself at very different points in her life -- one in which she was suffering from depression and other illnesses and the other in good health.

However, to some, it might not be obvious that she's suffering in one of the images.

Culpo explained her mental, physical and emotional state in the second photo, which she took months ago, in the caption of the post: "I was depressed. I had no appetite, was drinking way too much, smoking, couldn't sleep, and couldn't eat."

"But I was still taking photos on social media and pretending everything was great," she continued. "I was going through a difficult situation that left me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually bankrupt and it had taken its toll physically."

"The feeling of despair is a relatable one, so I feel a responsibility to anyone else going through something difficult to say that it's OK to not be OK," she added.

She said in her first photo, which she'd taken just a few days ago, is one in which she is "looking healthier." "I have my appetite back and am treating my body correctly," she explained.

Culpo described that she wants to use her platform, on which she has over 4.2 million followers, to explain the fake side of social media.

"We're all too familiar with the 'highlight REEL' of Instagram so I wanted to get REAL and tell you it's not always as amazing as it seems," she wrote.

"Instagram is everyone's best version of themselves and their lives," she described. "It can trick us into thinking everything is perfect in other's worlds. Which is NOT true."

She emphasized that it's important for those reading the message to remember that no one truly is aware of what another person is dealing with, so judgement and comparison are not only harmful but also unfair.

The model added that she was posting the personal message in hopes that it "helps others who might be going through a hard time and feeling like they need to 'have it all together.'"

"Social media can create a crazy amount of pressure to live up to an idealistic standard of 'perfection' (which obviously doesn't exist!)," she wrote. "Hard times happen and the most important part is putting one foot in front of the other, knowing the moment will pass, and being patient with yourself."

"No filter is going to take away from the normal ups and downs of life that we all have," she added.