One Christian woman who suffered a crippling depression stated: “Most of all you need to know that others care about you as a person. You need to hear someone say, ‘I understand; you’ll be all right soon. I appreciate your experience and I like talking with you.’”

“I Learned Empathy”

“One lesson I’ll never forget,” admitted one Christian mother who suffered with depression. “I learned empathy. Before, I used to think that all you had to do was to pump yourself up and get going, so I never had much fellow feeling for others who were sick. Now I know. When some of the friends told me to ‘snap out of it,’ there wasn’t anything that I wanted to do more, but at that point I had no control. Their comments really hurt.” Depressed persons need “fellow feeling” extended to them from others.​—1 Peter 3:8.

How can family and friends help? A 40-year-old previously depressed mother reflected: “You not only feel terrible physically and emotionally, but also feel guilty because you’re not doing for your family what you normally would.” So she advised: “Let the depressed person know you realize he’s doing his best. Encourage him to keep on.”

“Speak Consolingly to the Depressed Souls”

“IN THE beginning I felt low, and this mood lingered. I didn’t feel like going anywhere or doing anything, nor could I concentrate. I became despondent, confused, and began to think that my entire life and my good record of service to God was not worth anything. I grew panicky and frightened.” Thus a 48-year-old Witness who had spent many years as a missionary described her feelings. “I had always been healthy physically and spiritually, but then I suddenly felt that I would never feel good again.”

A mature brother also reports: “I became very depressed because of my job. I would come home from work so despondent that I could not eat. I would leave the table and go into a private room and cry​—I just could not stop the tears. I was easily angered by others. I kept thinking, ‘Where am I headed? Why is this happening to me?’ It continued for six months.”

These persons suffered from major depression. Other reports tell that there are still “depressed souls” among God’s people. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Statistics for the world indicate a striking increase in depressed persons. Though persons with a relationship with God are often less affected by the situations inducing depression, they are by no means immune to this disorder. But should such faithful servants be so plagued?

“I Am Depressed Exceedingly”

Loyal King David of Jerusalem was a victim of depression. As a result of some errors or foolishness on his part, he wrote: “I am depressed exceedingly; I go mourning all day long.” (Psalm 38:6, DeWitt) The box on the next page shows how a number of faithful servants have felt at times, and why. However, all those listed in the box overcame their distress. According to the Bible record, they all continued serving God faithfully.

There are many reasons why persons get depressed. Over some of these the sufferer has little control. Recent medical research has indicated that some types of severe depression are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that may be the result of a number of physical causes.a At the same time our thoughts alone can bring on depression. One Bible example is revealing.

Epaphroditus, a zealous helper of the imprisoned apostle Paul, suffered depression. Paul sent this servant back from Rome to his former congregation in Philippi, and perhaps by means of him dispatched a letter stating among other things, “[Epaphroditus] is depressed because you heard he had fallen sick.” True, he had been sick, but now was well​—yet depressed. What caused the depression? He realized that the congregation “heard he had fallen sick.” Why would this depress him?​—Philippians 2:25-30.

This devoted servant was evidently very sensitive to others’ feelings. He was very concerned about the worry of his dear brothers and sisters in his home congregation over the report of his ill health. It seems that the anxiety of wanting to set their minds at ease​—but hopelessly separated by hundreds of miles—​brought on the depression. The same could happen today, even to those who, like Epaphroditus, wholly exert themselves in the Lord’s work. Intense worry and concern over others’ feelings, or perhaps a feeling of letting others down, can produce depression.