Hello, Mn136. Just a thought - please discard if it doesn't do anything for you: Developing an ability to work hard is a real achievement; "good" grades are laudable and perhaps indicators of potential, but they are at best a symbolic achievement. The artificial goals of student life are seductive. But, they only dimly reflect - and sometimes distort - the substantive needs of adult life.

A person suffering from depression has too little spare energy and focus to spend on goals that will not sustain them in the long term.