Denise Welch felt obliged to share her battle with depression on social media.
Denise Welch
The actress felt a responsibility to open up about her darker moments because she regularly shares the "wonderful things" with fans and feel it's important to show both sides.
Speaking on ITV's 'Loose Women', Denise said: "I feel that if I share the wonderful things in my life. I feel, as a mental health advocate, that I should share the other side of my life.
"I feel that with social media we live in this era of compare and despair, everyone is comparing their lives to these other lives that are completely unrealistic.
"People are still frightened to talk but feel safer knowing that someone else is going through the same thing."
The 61-year-old star was diagnosed with depression after she gave birth to son Matty Healy 30 years ago, and she is pleased that she has been candid about her experiences.
She added: "I have talked about it openly on social media and on this show, it's been a wonderful platform."
Meanwhile, the former 'Coronation Street' actress described the effect depression - which she referred to as "the unwelcome guest" - has on her life.
She explained: "It starts off with tingling in my palms and a metallic taste in my mouth. I would describe it as the colour going out of my life.
"I don't want to be around the people I love, the joy I get from doing the smallest things goes... As soon it goes, normal service is resumed. The unwelcome guest will leave and the sun will come out again."
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