#just acknowledge that a search for some footing isn't a moral failing

[mr-orion]

People w/o depression act like hygiene and self care is what will make you feel better. Its infuriating in the sense that it's typically not true. Sometimes it's quite the opposite. The thing with depression is that doing what you should is not the same as doing what you need.

You should shower, eat, and all that. But maybe what you need is to temporarily ignore one of those things and refocus the energy you do have into an activity or something.

It seems counterintuitive, after all, all those needs typically do improve motivation and energy but depression isn't necessarily an intuitive illness. Depression isn't rational. Thus most people can't manage it with things that normally rationally be correct.

Sometimes, ignoring your shoulds temporarily in favor of focusing on an activity that will give you a bit of accomplishment is the right thing for yourself and don't let anyone shame you for doing something momentarily bad that will give you a giant payoff.

Being functional and depressed is an upwards battle. Especially when you take care of yourself. People assume you're fine but you're not. You're putting everything into being presentable and rotting away when you're alone, but I find what often helps me claw out of a hole and allow me to do all the things is not focusing onwhat I should be doing but on what is gonna give me a safe momentary mood boost that's gonna help me accomplish all of what I should and need to do.

Its also worth noting that for some people this sentiment is reversed. Maybe you game all day but what is gonna help is cooking a meal or going outside.

I just want people to stop pretending its "fixable" with normal coping skills tbh.