Depression & new neighbours concerned as not seen me out & about? What to say?

[Mervyn937]

Dear all, my title says it all really. I've been off work with depression for two months. I have had depression for many years. I always disappear off the radar, as it were, for the months that I'm down. It's not good I know, but it's how I feel. I take antidepressants & a mood stabiliser & am very lucky with a very lovely GP, although there's not an awful lot he can do.
I moved house at the beginning of summer & the new couple next door to me posted me a little welcome card in the first few weeks. It was so lovely of them! They are very outgoing & super friendly. We often chat over the garden fence, as when I'm not depressed I'm very sociable & friendly. There's another couple on the road who they're very friendly with & they chat to me too now. Problem is both the neighbours have hardly seen anything of me for the past 2 months. The couple next door texted me a month ago, just checking all OK as they'd not seen me for a while. So kind & caring of them. But overthinker that I am I was just really scared, as I personally find my depression very shameful & only tell very close friends. But equally, I felt really bad lying, as I texted back I'd not been feeling great but was OK & thanked them so much for their lovely text. Fast forward another month, I'm still not going out, but yesterday I took the car out for a drive, as concerned it might not start etc in the future when I need it. Drove back home & my friendly neighbours were out on their drive chatting to the other friendly couple. I just felt so scared & super embarrassed seeing the 4 of them. As I knew I would just shout hi & rush into my house all embarrassed. Which sadly I did. I just feel so, so rude & feel I should text them & explain, albeit briefly & apologise for my apparent rudeness. I don't know if my stupid message makes sense to anyone?? When I'm unwell like this, I'm very different to who I normally am when I'm not depressed, if that makes any sense? I just so don't want such lovely neighbours to, understandably, think I'm being rude.
Any thoughts & advice gratefully received.
Thank you x

Try not to add them to your pile of worriesthey sound a bit annoying You don't have to justify how you spend your time. Say you've been busy at home.

You don't owe anyone any explanation and you haven't been rude.You said hello, and went inside. They'll probably assume you're keeping a distance because of COVID. You know you're overthinking this. Lots of people hibernate during winter and resurface in spring.

I think a short text with a brief explanation would be fine. You don’t want to alienate them and like you say when well you’re happy to engage with them. Great neighbours are fantastic and so do try and keep in touch with yours

Just say something vague and jokey. I'm about, vampire, me, I only come out at night! Hi, Brenda, nice flowerpots; can't stop, sorry, no rest for the wicked!

I am so like this OP, you’re not alone. When I’m down like that I cannot bear to see people and I will avoid people as much as possible. I see home as a sort of refuge and would struggle with chatting with neighbours when in that place, though equally I can understand it’s nice that they are so friendly. Idk if you are chatty when you’re up to it maybe they will get that you’re up and down and expect it? Sorry that’s not very helpful!