Why might someone get depressed (not sad, but actually depressed) when they have to think for themselves?

If they're not used to making decisions on their own, it can take a toll on their emotions. They feel like maybe they can't make the right decision..they think they're going to mess things up. It will take a while for them to get used to it, but if they start small (picking out what to eat for dinner), then go bigger, things will get better.

that sounds like a spoilt kid to me... maybe they have been given everything they ever needed, and shetered from the real world, so now when asked to make a decision, they get really frustrated becuase theyve never had to before.

We have a guy like that at work, 29 years of age. Sometimes he gets baffled with the most simple task, and always has to ask for help. Im pretty understanding, so he generally comes to me. and after becoming a little frustrated and the amount of "easy" questions he comes to me with, i tried making him think for himself, getting answers to questions without having to be told.

It's like speaking to a kid, i have to re assure him im not having a go, nor am i trying to make him look stupid. I have to say things like, come on tom i know your a bright chap, you know this, take your time and just think, this is easy for you... and it works he'l answer his own question (20x slower than the average person but he does it). but he needs allot of getting used to it, more than i can help with, i work in I.T not special needs. I dont know his family but i think he has been spoilt, maybe thats the answer to your question. bad parenting...

they could have a severe inferiority complex.