I’ve been stuck in a self pity cycle for years at a time myself, but the comments vouching for exercise are actually correct. Eventually you just get fed up with it and realize you have to start putting in effort that you don’t have. It sucks at first, but slowly it gets better until the things that were impossible a few months ago are actually routine now. Usually when you’re so depressed that taking a shower or going on a walk feels impossible, you need some kind of medication that will slowly make those things easier. Eventually you won’t need that medication anymore, and the exercise takes over as the more noticeable and necessary treatment for depression.

Sometimes it take a while to find the right medication, and the light push these antidepressants give you only boost you up so far, at a certain point you have to take over an do the rest yourself. It’s a similar concept as addiction treatment. Maybe you start with a medication that eases the symptoms of your withdrawal, but then you’re faced with the daily battle of pushing through those cravings, and the longer you continue to do that, the easier it gets. Some people just aren’t ready to start going to the gym regularly, but they should try going outside and going on walks if they can. If they can’t do that and have trouble getting in the shower, then they set goals and force themselves to get in that shower to make those goals. If getting in that shower isn’t possible, intensive therapy such as inpatient is likely needed.