Depression or BiPolar disorder...what a debilitating illness!
A dear friend I know has it and it is devastating to see! When life is great for her, nothing stops her, she's out there doing good for her Church and her friends and acquaintances. But when the illness hits...everything comes to a halt...it renders her immobile...it's all she could do get through the day, and the days are so long...
I admit I was one of those "Advisors" on saying "if you only do this or that" you'll snap out of it. It's a wonder she's my friend after saying stuff like that. She has friends telling her to get out of the house, and she is unable to at times, unless she uses all the will she has to do it, and it takes it's toll. Doctors that she has been to just give more and more medication.
If she was able to get out of it, she would....that's why it's so debilitating!
She can't handle people telling her she should be doing this or that, it just makes it worse for her....then friends stop calling or stopping by...and she's left tragically to just face her illness.
I stop by when I can and just sit with her now, sometimes just being there and saying nothing but "I love you, my friend". No advice, no answers, because I don't understand the real tragedy of this illness, but all I can offer is my love....