For myself definitely not a choice thing-it's a brain chemistry thing. When my bipolar depression hits it either creeps up on me slowly so sometimes I don't notice at first or I wake up & wham I can't even get out of bed. I've had times when my T has pointed out my depression & I'm like no really I'm ok but then I realize I haven't taken a bath, washed my hair for 2 weeks am laying on the couch pretty much 24/7 etc. There are lots of things I do to cope & counter act it like exercise, getting outside, journal, artwork and the like which can help but many times it just has to run it's course. I think we are all unique & even when we share the same illnesses they can manifest very differently.