Robin Williams 1951 - 2014.

[rickyj]

You know I think what happened to Robin has an important message to society--that even having all the money and fame in the world cannot simply help you if you have some serious problems whether it be in your life or drugs or depression. I used to kinda think that the "cure" for anyone's depression is simply give them what they want--like, if you gave a depressed person $10 million dollars I always kinda thought they would NOT be depressed anymore. But here is one of the most rich and famous celebrities in the world and he committed suicide--so that proves money and fame is not the answer. At first the money and fame might help you cope with your problems--but no amount of money can help when it comes to things like what he was suffering with, as well as a lof of others suffer with obviously. If we can learn anything from his unfortunate loss it's that people need to sort of take issues like drugs and mental problems (if indeed that's what he had) perhaps even more seriously than it is being taken. Robin could have been saved if he had the right help---but NO money or fame could do that for him. He had to have the proper help from proper people who have expertise and a lot more training and compassion than a lot of today's doctors. He had to be sorta convinced to not be afraid of the media. He needed someone who could probably convince him he still had hope and to forget about "Robin Williams the famous funny man" and see himself as "Robin Williams the human being". Of course I'm just speculating. But maybe through his death a few people out there might be saved--people who might find inspiration from what happened to him. His death will help society in some way I am sure.

[Mynock]

It's just really sad and shocking that someone who brought so much happiness to so many people apparently couldn't find any for himself. If you asked me to pick someone who I could imagine killing themselves he would've never crossed my mind.

[bbjohn]

I'll come out and admit I've dealt with depression myself. I've been on anti-depressants like Paxil and Zoloft. They work for a time, but then the effect wears off and you're right back where you started from. All they do is dope you up so you can't feel depressed. Come to think of it, you can't feel much of anything.

Do you want to know what depression is? It's anger turned inward. I'd be willing to bet that almost everyone who suffers from chronic depression has serious anger issues. I know I did, and still do. I've learned that identifying what those issues are goes a long way to understanding why I feel like I do.

I also remind myself that I am a worthwhile person. I know from personal experience the effect bullying has on a kid. When a kid is made to feel he's not worth much of anything, he will keep that feeling as an adult. That's why I remind myself of the good I've done and the tasks I've accomplished.

When I get into one of my funks or down times, I've learned to ride it out. It isn't easy, but, as they say, tough times don't last, but tough people do. I pull up my pants and I do what I need to do. Keeping myself busy helps me cope with a down time.

You can never be "cured" of depression, but you can learn to live with it. That isn't always easy to do, but it can be done. I understand there have been many famous people throughout history who have suffered from depression.

I just hope I never find myself at such a point as I would be considering taking my own life. When you reach that point, you need a lot more help than the simple advice I can give you.

- Big Bad John

[water_bug_62208]

Shocked and sadden to hear about this as well. He'd done so much for TV, movie, and stage performances, and so much for community service.

Mr. Williams, you'll be missed.

[Lomax]

I'll come out and admit I've dealt with depression myself. I've been on anti-depressants like Paxil and Zoloft. They work for a time, but then the effect wears off and you're right back where you started from. All they do is dope you up so you can't feel depressed. Come to think of it, you can't feel much of anything.

Do you want to know what depression is? It's anger turned inward. I'd be willing to bet that almost everyone who suffers from chronic depression has serious anger issues. I know I did, and still do. I've learned that identifying what those issues are goes a long way to understanding why I feel like I do.

I also remind myself that I am a worthwhile person. I know from personal experience the effect bullying has on a kid. When a kid is made to feel he's not worth much of anything, he will keep that feeling as an adult. That's why I remind myself of the good I've done and the tasks I've accomplished.

When I get into one of my funks or down times, I've learned to ride it out. It isn't easy, but, as they say, tough times don't last, but tough people do. I pull up my pants and I do what I need to do. Keeping myself busy helps me cope with a down time.

You can never be "cured" of depression, but you can learn to live with it. That isn't always easy to do, but it can be done. I understand there have been many famous people throughout history who have suffered from depression.

I just hope I never find myself at such a point as I would be considering taking my own life. When you reach that point, you need a lot more help than the simple advice I can give you.

The drugs don't work. I know, I've tried them. They do fuck with my sleep patterns, though.

Depression is different things to different people. For me, it's an overwhelming feeling of lethargy. There is so much that I don't get round to doing. Not just things that I ought to do (if I had a pound for every bill I'd paid late simply because it was too much effort to pay it on time, then I'd never have to worry about bills ever again), but things I want to do. Such as writing. I enjoy writing; and some have been kind enough to suggest that I'm not totally lacking in talent. And yet it's so damned HARD to motivate myself.

And, of course, I get angry with myself for my lack of achievement. Which lack goes back several decades - I simply haven't done a fraction of the things I am (theoretically) capable of. I've wasted so many years. And they're running out.

I've attempted suicide before. I probably will again. Maybe I'll succeed next time. The scary part is that I don't really care. Telling myself that I'm a worthwhile person doesn't achieve much, mainly because I know that I'm not.

Sorry, funny mood....

[Lord Malaphus]

*******

LM

[dlodoski]

I'll come out and admit I've dealt with depression myself. I've been on anti-depressants like Paxil and Zoloft. They work for a time, but then the effect wears off and you're right back where you started from. All they do is dope you up so you can't feel depressed. Come to think of it, you can't feel much of anything.

Do you want to know what depression is? It's anger turned inward. I'd be willing to bet that almost everyone who suffers from chronic depression has serious anger issues. I know I did, and still do. I've learned that identifying what those issues are goes a long way to understanding why I feel like I do.

I also remind myself that I am a worthwhile person. I know from personal experience the effect bullying has on a kid. When a kid is made to feel he's not worth much of anything, he will keep that feeling as an adult. That's why I remind myself of the good I've done and the tasks I've accomplished.

When I get into one of my funks or down times, I've learned to ride it out. It isn't easy, but, as they say, tough times don't last, but tough people do. I pull up my pants and I do what I need to do. Keeping myself busy helps me cope with a down time.

You can never be "cured" of depression, but you can learn to live with it. That isn't always easy to do, but it can be done. I understand there have been many famous people throughout history who have suffered from depression.

I just hope I never find myself at such a point as I would be considering taking my own life. When you reach that point, you need a lot more help than the simple advice I can give you.

- Big Bad John

Thank you for sharing this. This is wisdom that needs to be shared - and taken to heart.

[Boggy Man]

The fact that Robin Williams was diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's Disease (which he wasn't ready to release to the public yet) could have been the last straw, since he had been battling drug and alcohol problems (he had his drinking problem under control at the time of his death), as well as depression and anxiety, only to be faced with a whole new additional battle that was going to get worse as time went on. In a situation like this, he could have greatly benefited from support by a fellow actor who has been living with it for some time, Michael J. Fox, who was shocked about finding out about the diagnosis after he passed away:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2725417/Stunned-learn-Robin-PD-Michael-J-Fox-weighs-Twitter-Williams-Parkinsons-diagnosis-calling-late-actor-true-friend.html

Boggy Man