I have a pure white cat that would spend days just lying under the bed. He was a beautiful cat, but surly as hell, ran from everyone, especially the kids. Because he would hide for days - weeks at a time, he got so matted that it was impossible to brush out. He was going to have to be shaved, so I got him the lion cut. It actually looked much better on him than the pictures above [:)].
After the cut, he has had a COMPLETE attitude adjustment. He doesn't hide, he plays with the kids, it's like a whole new cat. He is in much better spirits even now that the hair is 90% grown back.