Photos taken by contributor Niquita, a teenager from England. She has experienced severe self-esteem and confidence issues since the age of 14, when she became overwhelmed by the pressures of school and social life. She was then diagnosed with Major Depression. Niquita thinks depression is harder to go through than many people think. She has found it hard to talk to others, including her mother, about what she is feeling because she often doesn’t understand it herself. Niquita has recently started to overcome some of her struggles with the help of her supportive boyfriend, along with photography. Taking photos has helped with her feelings of isolation, and she appreciates the freedom it gives her.
About these photos: “Invisibility is painful – and when you go through any type of depression or disorder, it is one of the only things you feel. I used this as inspiration in taking a series of photographs of my friend, Chelsea. I wanted to try and capture the feeling of invisibility in a way that showed both its comforting & haunting sides. As somebody who has spent most of my teenage years constantly battling with the way I am externally viewed, there have been many occasions where I’ve felt alone and disengaged with my friends and family. I have always been extremely conscious of the way I look and it has affected almost every aspect of my life, and anyone who has suffered from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Major Depression, or any form of Self Esteem issue will understand me when I say that it takes over your life, like you’re drowning. The girl in my photos is representative of somebody who is being helplessly consumed by her surroundings, and this is something that I feel summarises the feeling of Low Self Esteem.”
Find more from Niquita at her website.
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