It makes even less sense in this regard because if a person's depression is the cause of being slovenly and gaining a bunch of weight, generally such depression is accompanied by being unable to accomplish other life activities, like doing well at work.  If this woman is well enough mentally to be seeking a new job, then she is not so depressed that she cannot wax her upper lip or buy clothes that fit. It seems far more likely that she gained weight and had a conscious and subconscious reaction to it.  She knows she is fat but is deluding herself that it's not so bad and she can reverse it soon so she sees no sense in buying new clothes.  Deep down she knows she is fat and sees no sense in even trying to groom or wear nice clothes because she knows her obesity tanks her appearance.  She knows she is fat and ugly and is choosing to ignore it because changing it seems too hard. Depression can cause a lot of negative behaviors but it seldom causes a person to tank in only one area of his or her life.  When depression is used as an explanation and its only manifestation shows in body size, you can be sure it's an excuse for crappy eating and laziness.