Curated Lives, Real Depression: How Instagram Feeds Are Shaping Self-Worth in Gen Z and Beyond

By Dr. Manju antil, Counselling Psychologist & Assistant Professor

“I see everyone smiling, thriving, travelling, succeeding—and then I look at myself.”
“Every time I scroll, I feel smaller. Less capable. Less attractive. Less worthy.”
“I know it’s not real, but it still affects me.”

These are not rare statements. They echo across therapy rooms, particularly when speaking with adolescents, college students, and young professionals. In today's world, platforms like Instagram have become the new mirrors—but these mirrors are warped, filtered, and manipulated.

In this in-depth article, I explore how curated digital identities—especially on Instagram—are reshaping Gen Z’s self-perception, emotional well-being, and identity construction, leading to what I call “aesthetic depression”: a silent psychological crisis masked behind filters and highlights.

1. The Rise of the Aesthetic Self in the Digital Age

We’ve entered a time where identity is no longer just lived—it is performed. Social media has transformed the self from something internal and evolving to something externally curated, monitored, and judged.

Instagram, in particular, encourages the construction of what sociologists call the “aesthetic self”—a version of oneself that is always vibrant, composed, joyful, productive, and photogenic. This constant performance of perfection leads to a disconnect between who one appears to be and who one actually is.

What makes this problematic?

Discrepancy leads to dissonance: The larger the gap between curated persona and real emotion, the greater the risk of emotional fatigue, self-doubt, and existential loneliness.
Validation becomes addictive: Likes, comments, story views—these become the new currency of worth.
Authenticity is sacrificed: Vulnerability is replaced by viral trends. Sadness is softened with soft filters. Failure is hidden entirely.

2. The Psychological Science: Why Scrolling Feeds Feeds Depression

A. Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954)

Humans have always compared themselves to others. However, Instagram creates a space where we compare our behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel—a comparison that is inherently unfair and psychologically damaging.

Constant upward comparison leads to:

Feelings of inadequacy

Unrealistic standards for success and appearance

A chronic sense of “not being enough”

B. Self-Discrepancy Theory (Higgins, 1987)

When there is a growing distance between:

The actual self (who we are),
The ideal self (who we want to be), and
The ought self (who we feel we should be based on external pressures),

…it creates emotional distress—often manifesting as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Instagram amplifies this gap daily. Each perfect post is a subtle reminder of what we are not.

3. Case Studies from Therapy: Real People Behind the Screens

Case A: Ishita, the “Engagement Watcher”

Ishita, a 25-year-old marketing executive, came to therapy feeling demotivated and overwhelmed. She confessed that she had muted several of her close friends on Instagram because "everyone is getting engaged, promoted, or travelling, and I'm still stuck in the same job."

Despite being aware that social media only reflects curated success, she couldn’t stop the feeling of being left behind. Her evenings were spent doomscrolling through luxury destination posts, questioning every choice she had made.

Her story reflects emotional exhaustion born from constant passive comparison.

Case B: Aarav, the Invisible Follower

Aarav, 21, felt invisible in both digital and real life. He scrolled endlessly but rarely posted. He compared his appearance to influencers, his productivity to entrepreneur accounts, and his lifestyle to travel bloggers.

“I don’t feel like I exist in the same world as them,” he said.

He had started withdrawing from offline friendships and reported feeling increasingly anxious in social settings. His online silence masked a growing internal despair.

4. Beyond Instagram: A Glimpse Into the Future

This issue is not just present—it is evolving. Let’s take a future-oriented look at what’s coming and what we need to prepare for:

A. Virtual Reality (VR) and the Metaverse

As Meta and other tech companies expand into immersive environments, young users may soon be creating 3D avatars of themselves that look nothing like their real selves. The line between virtual persona and physical self may become even thinner.

Risk: Identity confusion, body dysmorphia, and complete withdrawal from offline engagement.

B. AI Beauty Filters and Augmented Reality (AR)

Filters powered by AI can now change facial features in real-time with startling realism. Gen Z is growing up seeing their own filtered faces more than their natural ones.

Result: Increased dissatisfaction with real-life appearance, leading to rising cases of Snapchat Dysmorphia—a term used to describe people seeking cosmetic surgery to look like their filtered selfies.

C. Algorithmic Emotional Targeting

Social media algorithms are increasingly designed to target users with content that aligns with their insecurities, not their wellbeing. A user who looks at fitness content may be flooded with weight-loss ads; a user who watches luxury travel videos may be bombarded with "success lifestyle" content.

Consequence: Deepening of emotional insecurities and compulsive engagement driven by inadequacy.

5. The Concept of Aesthetic Depression

Aesthetic Depression is not (yet) a clinical diagnosis but an emerging psychological phenomenon that reflects the emotional dissonance caused by excessive exposure to curated beauty, success, and joy.

Symptoms may include:

Feeling “emotionally numb” after scrolling
Chronic comparison and dissatisfaction
Anxiety about one’s appearance or achievements
A sense of emotional isolation despite being digitally connected
A reduction in real-life motivation or self-trust

This condition is not about being “too sensitive”—it’s a valid psychological response to a hyper-curated world.

6. Healing the Digital Disconnect: My Recommendations as a Psychologist

A. Practice Digital Discernment

Curate your feed consciously. Follow people who post with authenticity, vulnerability, and balance.
Regularly audit your “following” list and remove sources of emotional toxicity.

B. Engage in Offline Anchoring

Schedule daily offline activities that help you reconnect with your physical self: nature walks, reading, journaling, real conversations.
Remember: your life is not content; it’s an experience.

C. Embrace “Lowlight” Moments

Begin sharing honestly, even if not publicly. Vulnerability is healing.
Let yourself exist without the pressure of documentation.

D. Therapeutic Check-ins

Reflect with a mental health professional: How is your digital world affecting your emotional reality?
Therapy can help restore self-worth by grounding identity in being, not appearing.

Final Reflection

In the age of filters, algorithms, and curated perfection, it takes courage to be real.
The more we chase the idealised, edited, performative life, the more we drift from our own internal compass.

Let us remind ourselves—and our students, clients, and children—that value is not found in validation metrics, but in presence, growth, and authenticity.

You are not your follower count.
You are not your last story view.
You are not behind.
You are becoming—and that is more than enough.