I went to all the fourth of July festivities in my town with my daughter and parents. This would be from noon to 11pm. For most of the day I felt, isolated, alone, empty, hollow.....depressed. I thought what the hell, i am doing the things I should be doing and I am still depressed. I didn't want to go to the concert and the fireworks in the evening but I did.
I have to say that sometime during the concert I did feel it lifting. By the fireworks it was gone. So I would say when it is moderate for me the faking it till you make it thing does work. Usually when I am up to moderate i can drag myself back up to at least mild by doing things. Its rare that I get past mild but recently i have had some periods of "normal"