Missing US congressman explains mysterious four-month absence

A Republican congressman who missed dozens of votes while on unexplained medical leave from the House of Representatives told fellow lawmakers he was in hospital for depression during his 142-day absence. "I was given the diagnosis of depression," New Jersey's Tom Kean said in remarks after returning to work on Tuesday. "It is physical, it is emotional and, until you've experienced it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be."Kean, 57, is running for a third term in a district that Republican leadership is concerned could go to a Democrat in November's midterm elections.He missed more than 140 votes while away and left many wondering about his health.He addressed the mystery on the House floor, saying he entered hospital for testing several months ago due to health concerns and "did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay". After the diagnosis was made, his doctors recommended remaining in hospital and "explained to me this would be the fastest way to recovery", he said."When people hear the word depression, many people think it simply means feeling sad," he said. "But depression is so much more than that."Earlier this month, Kean ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, and won.He has only offered vague answers about his absence previously, describing it on social media as a "personal medical issue".