I lost my job a few months ago, and was struggling to find a new one with no success. This led me to becoming less motivated each day, until the point that suicide slipped into my mind - which I instantaneously throw out from my mind.

Things were like normal for my family and friends, but I was seeing them less frequently, until I stopped completely.

People didn't know I had depression, because I covered it from them. But then my best friend mentioned the lessening meeting frequency and eventually "break up".

Now that I'm in a better condition, I wish I was able to explain when I was in depression, and to ask for their consideration.

I really appreciate all the answers so far, but I mainly looking how I couldn't have explained it back when I was depressed, not after the fact. I told people that I was "needing some time to handle personal matters", but it was perceived negatively as in I was intentionally avoiding them.

Note: In Indonesia being diagnosed as "depressed" or something like that is equal to "crazy" (though I know better than that), so I'd like to avoid using that term if I can.