When my doc signed me off work, he really pushed for me to have a plan to keep occupied. This wasn't because he felt I was well enough for work, it was because he remembers my past episodes when I have retreated to my bed for days, weeks even. I don't think it is at all unusual, it is part of the isolation that overwhelms the profoundly depressed.

I get up about 8am to see to my dog, I then lounge in my PJs until 2pm somedays. Then I take Tessa out for her walk and after that I need to sleep a while. Then it is time to make a meal, followed by TV. I go to bed around 10pm but maybe can't sleep until after 2am.

I remember one flat I lived in only had three rooms, tiny kitchen, small bathroom and big bed-sitting room. The bed folded up into a big wall cupboard but when I was depressed, I would just live in that bed and I never felt guilty about not getting up. I only had a two yard walk to the bathroom and another two yards to the kitchen. Even when I cooked something I could go back to bed while I was waiting.

Creating a routine for ourselves when we're depressed is important and you've done that, so when things start to look up you'll have something to build on.