Robin Williams found dead at home

I've seen plenty of people suffer most of their lives through illness, abandonment, depression, et cetera, but they suffered, mainly because they cared about others around them, they didn't focus their views solely on themselves, what did RW's go through that was so dreadful, he had three children, why couldn't he suffer for them.

I'm sorry but you clearly do not understand mental illness and I hope you never have to.
 
Not that I'm agreeing with zain as regards the rest of his posts but suicide does encourage other people to do it, especially younger adults.

I think it may influence, as in makes it part of the equation I would argue it doesn't encourage. I think also with the depths of depression such influences are pretty irrelevant. It is for some the only way they see out of the depths of their depression, tragic though that is.

I can imagine what a lightning quick mind faced with depression and the news that Parkinsons disease was on the way might see it as the only resolution and then the spiral is off an running the negatives simply roll on. Terrible thing depression.
 
In fact I'm amazed by the ignorance of some people in this thread.

Tragic is what it is.

Selfish? Anyone stop to think how low people are that they think this is their only option and actually go through with it? How hard a decision that must be. To end everything because you can't see an out.

It's a tragedy that people in this situation felt like they couldn't or weren't able to get help.

Don't sit on your pedestals judging things you know nothing about.
 
The only people that think of it as selfish are ones who aren't educated about the subject and are just spouting off stuff that they've overheard others (also uneducated) say
 
The only people that think of it as selfish are ones who aren't educated about the subject and are just spouting off stuff that they've overheard others (also uneducated) say

I'm surprised so many people have an opinion without actually stopping to think - and I totally agree.
 
I think it may influence, as in makes it part of the equation I would argue it doesn't encourage. I think also with the depths of depression such influences are pretty irrelevant. It is for some the only way they see out of the depths of their depression, tragic though that is.

I can imagine what a lightning quick mind faced with depression and the news that Parkinsons disease was on the way might see it as the only resolution and then the spiral is off an running the negatives simply roll on. Terrible thing depression.

It's amazing how much ignorance there is towards depression and refusal to accept it as a genuine medical condition, people dismiss it but accept other mental disorders which can develop throughout life such as dementia yet they are very similar things, just one can be covered up and the other can't.

Depression is a terrible illness that just can't be conveyed to those who haven't experienced it either personally or through those close to them and good for them because they are lucky. However to a serious suffer it can often feel like there is no hope and it's hard to imagine spending the rest of your life suffering, especially if no amount of help such as medication or therapy is able to relieve the torment.

I know this is perhaps a morbid comment but I think a lot of good will come from Robin's passing and the worlds eyes will be opened to the illness, making both treatment and acceptance easier for people with depression.
 
I thought it was very interesting what Dennis Miller said about Robin Williams.

He was one of the dearest men whoever lived.

If Robin Williams who was a locust of joy can get to that dark place, any of the billions of people on this planet can and if you're ever in that corner. You have to round the corner off by getting hold of another human being. You know how quickly life can flip. You know two days later the sun can be on. It's that moment and if he can get to it. Anybody can get to it and if you want to serve his memory, never not make the call to somebody. Never.
 
It's amazing how much ignorance there is towards depression and refusal to accept it as a genuine medical condition, people dismiss it but accept other mental disorders which can develop throughout life such as dementia yet they are very similar things, just one can be covered up and the other can't.

Depression is a terrible illness that just can't be conveyed to those who haven't experienced it either personally or through those close to them and good for them because they are lucky. However to a serious suffer it can often feel like there is no hope and it's hard to imagine spending the rest of your life suffering, especially if no amount of help such as medication or therapy is able to relieve the torment.

My mother in law passed away 2 months back due to Alzheimer's and complications. Two years ago all fine and dandy, then she just shot downhill and in the end simply gave up. No one in the family felt it selfish, quite the opposite including her youngest child, my wife. I also have close family who have suffered heavily with depression and if I am honest I have had bouts, but nothing close to others I know.

The whole "chin up, it's all in your mind" is both ignorant and ironic.
 
I think it may influence, as in makes it part of the equation I would argue it doesn't encourage. I think also with the depths of depression such influences are pretty irrelevant. It is for some the only way they see out of the depths of their depression, tragic though that is.

I can imagine what a lightning quick mind faced with depression and the news that Parkinsons disease was on the way might see it as the only resolution and then the spiral is off an running the negatives simply roll on. Terrible thing depression.

I know GD has trolls but I don't mind exchanging views, if you can't give and take simply don't say anything.

You had an amazing change of view when one other person understands what I am saying. Your own words are sort of tripping up now. Don't be prejudice, try and understand the point of view before being daft.

I do not believe MI is "all in the head, get over it". No way, it can get any of us at any time, I know so myself, even the strongest person without care and support will give up.

I didn't mean to derail the thread or offend.
 
I think when it comes to suicide and the reasons behind it, you simply have to treat it relative to the person in question. Yes, for some people, suicide may be their only way out yet for others it may be merely a luxury they can't afford. Everyone has different priorities.
 
I thought it was very interesting what Dennis Miller said about Robin Williams.

I would disagree quite significantly. He's an entertainer, people like him are frequently depressed and often feel forced to hide it.

Average Joe Bloggs is.... a computer programmer, he turns up to a gathering of friends and no one automatically expects him to entertain everyone so he's just himself, when he's down he can be open about it.

Robin Williams goes anywhere, everywhere, every second of his life people expect to see Robin Williams that they see on TV. He's having a bad day but he goes out and fans ask for a picture and he feels compelled to be "on" for them. People like him would probably more frequently than anyone else not be honest, not show their depression publicly and to friends and even family, but be "on" because everyone expects him to be funny and happy.

Expectations of people can weigh you down and that can't be worse than when you're a comedian of the style in particular than Williams was. Everyone wants to see happy funny energetic Williams. He's not a dark comic who can out his depression on stage because that wasn't his act. He might feel like hell but 30 times a day he might turn on acting happy. Acting happy when you are anything but is, tiring. From someone who has suffered from deep depression and isn't expected to be the life of a party as standard, I still felt mentally tired by being out with friends. I hid my depression, often through alcohol.

Actually, I wouldn't say I was a comedian in any way, but from 16-24 I hid behind alcohol and actually did always try and be the party guy. I was nervous and shy sober and depressed and didn't want to show I was unhappy so would get drunk, I turned on not a comedian act but a "fake" personality. It's mentally tiring, to the point of exhaustion. I would go out, get battered, often black out drunk, be the party guy but the next morning I would be shattered beyond just a hangover(but that didn't help) but I'd barely feel like seeing anyone all day, I missed lectures and stayed in bed often for a couple days. Then would go out and do the same thing, always hiding how I felt.

I would think in general that someone like Williams was in the worst possible situation where everyone everywhere he went expected his character, he was always acting. Going for a coffee probably 50 people would say hi and he might feel compelled to say something funny, or simply smile when he was unhappy on the inside. It's draining.

So in terms of the most happy appearing person can be depressed then we all could be... wrong. What we show on the outside and how we feel on the inside are very different but his very statement that Williams was a guy who seemed happy, is exactly what I'm saying, he expected and only remembers Williams seeming happy.


I suggested as much previously but I thought for this to come at the age and time it was that a recent diagnosis of something degenerative or terminal was incredibly likely. In his position, unhappy, a weight of expectation, probably constantly exhausted... the very idea of getting worse every day till he died... is both terrifying, and in context of who he was. If this was a guy who felt compelled to be on and happy and funny..... and this was difficult every day for maybe decades already and now with parkinsons would effectively be more difficult every day till he died..... I can completely understand why he did it.


Something everyone should learn to do, REGARDLESS OF HOW A FRIEND SEEMS< ask genuinely, deeply and heartfelt how your friend is from time to time. Just maybe every couple months even if they seem as happy as you've ever thought they've been, let them know you are there, will always be there, that if there is anything at all they want to vent to you about you'd be there without judgement, just empathy and understanding. A LOT of people don't have that and desperately need it.
 
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I've worked with a few people who have experienced severe depression. They describe an anguish so intense that they can actually feel it physically, and have described it a like a dread in the pit of their stomach, which hurts more than any type of physical pain they have ever felt.

And, as is topical at the moment with campaigns for assisted dying, and as further evidenced by horrific footage of people jumping to their deaths to escape the fire from flaming buildings, physical pain can can so agonising as to cause people to take their lives to escape from, and get relief from it.

People who have a really intense depression will be suffering and in agony! I've met a few and am grateful that I haven't suffered as they have.... all the cynics should be too!
 
I know GD has trolls but I don't mind exchanging views, if you can't give and take simply don't say anything.

You had an amazing change of view when one other person understands what I am saying. Your own words are sort of tripping up now. Don't be prejudice, try and understand the point of view before being daft.

I do not believe MI is "all in the head, get over it". No way, it can get any of us at any time, I know so myself, even the strongest person without care and support will give up.

I didn't mean to derail the thread or offend.
Your posts were troll like, did you miss everyone else picking you up on it too?
 
Chances are despite the numerous visits to mental health specialists if he had been a sufferer for many years which I believe is correct then his brain would have essentially rewired itself to think negative and with the news of P.D, it would have destroyed him, and with the potential money problems due to his divorce settlements. P.D would have prevented him from gaining work and supporting his family.

Because of depression he would have seen that as the end, no way out. Time to end it as he didn't want to be a burden on his family. It was a cry for help that never came, and I'm sure that with the right help he would have pulled through but nothing would change the fact he had P.D so his life would never be the same.
 
I thought it was very interesting what Dennis Miller said about Robin Williams.

Chances are despite the numerous visits to mental health specialists if he had been a sufferer for many years which I believe is correct then his brain would have essentially rewired itself to think negative and with the news of P.D, it would have destroyed him, and with the potential money problems due to his divorce settlements. P.D would have prevented him from gaining work and supporting his family.

Because of depression he would have seen that as the end, no way out. Time to end it as he didn't want to be a burden on his family. It was a cry for help that never came, and I'm sure that with the right help he would have pulled through but nothing would change the fact he had P.D so his life would never be the same.

Wow, didn't realise he had parkinsons! I've seen the effects of that on a good friends father - its a nasty thing when it takes hold... adds a little more reasoning to his possible train of thought :(
 
Chances are despite the numerous visits to mental health specialists if he had been a sufferer for many years which I believe is correct then his brain would have essentially rewired itself to think negative and with the news of P.D, it would have destroyed him, and with the potential money problems due to his divorce settlements. P.D would have prevented him from gaining work and supporting his family.

Well I wouldn't say that, look at Michael J Fox. Parkinson's may in itself have triggered a worsening of depression though.
 
Interesting that Jack was so hated by the critics, loved that film when I was a kid and that end speech always brings a tear to your eye. :( I guess it was pretty schmaltzy.
 
Chances are despite the numerous visits to mental health specialists if he had been a sufferer for many years which I believe is correct then his brain would have essentially rewired itself to think negative and with the news of P.D, it would have destroyed him, and with the potential money problems due to his divorce settlements. P.D would have prevented him from gaining work and supporting his family.

Because of depression he would have seen that as the end, no way out. Time to end it as he didn't want to be a burden on his family. It was a cry for help that never came, and I'm sure that with the right help he would have pulled through but nothing would change the fact he had P.D so his life would never be the same.

Money troubles? Are you being serious? Of all the things Robin Williams might haave been worried about, it better not have been money.
 
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