Anxiety is horrendous, you want to curl up and cry.
Feeling unable to face the world because it expects you to be "normal".
Being out and about, feels like people are invading your personal space and panic mode sets in.
I work full time, Monday to Friday. I have my own way of handling it, but it stops me getting to work early, on time and on occasions getting into office at all. It mostly affects my down time because I don't have to go out. If I can get out, even to the garden, it can make me feel better, sometimes I'm just on autopilot, having moments in crowded places is just horrendous.
Dealing with anxiety is hard work. It wears you down. I sleep a lot in the evening or weekends when it's been a hard week.
It is different for everyone, different levels of anxiety, different ways of coping etc.
Your friend knows what's best for them and pushing them to do something can be detrimental. Best you can do is be supportive.
I think you asked the question to try and be more supportive, if you didn't care you wouldn't have bothered.
If you think how negative/hateful comments on social media can make you feel shitty for caring to ask, it will in my opinion give you a slither of how anxiety/depression affects you friend.
You are right, googling won't give you a real answer, so thank you for caring enough about your friend to ask strangers this question. 💞