R.I.P. Robin Williams

[RcSuD]

A sad day in the entertainment world today. Robin Williams lost his battle with depression. One of the worlds' best comedians will no longer make us laugh, but I bet there's lots of laughter in heaven today.



Nanu nanu

 

[John Luciano]

I would stay up late if I heard he was going to be on Letterman. Saw all his movies. Watched him since Mork and Mindy. I think his last show was depressing for him. He is up there with RED , Lucy and Bob. RIP. Robbin.

 

[Rod69]

I imagine its hard to understand if you've never had depression. It seems he had everything that you would ever need. Evidently not so. He was one of the best comics and made some very good movies also. He was my age 63.
God Bless and Rest in Peace.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Funny guy. Will be missed. And I liked his new show. The critics had no clue what they were taking about.

 

[rhino 2]

Sorry to say there must be a large Pharmacy in heaven..
Great talent, But drugs will get to you sooner or later...

 

[Papa Zook]

Depression is nothing to ignore and everyone suffers from it to some degree at one time or another, famous people and normal folks like you and me. Some of you reading this right now can relate. I've had my battles with it over the years and I can tell you it can kick your ass if you ignore it and isolate yourself. If you or someone you know is battling depression, get professional help, talk to someone, do what ever it takes to get to the other side. Don't let pride stop you from seeking help.

 

[rmrc51]

My father suffered from depression. He use to tell me it was like an invisible wave that would totally encompass him as if he was being smothered from inside. I can't even imagine,,..

 

[wehrme]

Loved him as a comedian and actor.

Sad to hear about the depression thing, but in reality he had been taking drugs and had alcohol abuse for years... when he was quite young.

I think the depression thing came as an effect of -not- being able to shake those problems.

I'll let the media play it as they see fit.

 

[Papa Zook]

Loved him as a comedian and actor.

Sad to hear about the depression thing, but in reality he had been taking drugs and had alcohol abuse for years... when he was quite young.

I think the depression thing came as an effect of -not- being able to shake those problems.

I'll let the media play it as they see fit.

Mental illness and depression in particular, is a very misunderstood and under-treated condition. Of those who suffer reoccurring bouts of clinical depression, substance abuse in some form is commonly present, as the sufferer is self medicating, trying to relieve themselves of the torture of their despair. Most are ashamed or afraid to admit they have a mental illness, so they suffer in silence and the depression gets worse. It is an alarming fact that 22 young military veterans commit suicide each day in this country. A very good article about Robin Williams and depression/suicide was published yesterday in the Pasadena Star Online HERE.

 

[skuuter]

Depression is nothing to ignore and everyone suffers from it to some degree at one time or another, famous people and normal folks like you and me. Some of you reading this right now can relate. I've had my battles with it over the years and I can tell you it can kick your ass if you ignore it and isolate yourself. If you or someone you know is battling depression, get professional help, talk to someone, do what ever it takes to get to the other side. Don't let pride stop you from seeking help.

Yep....I've lost several Friends and Family Members to it over the years....., I've been very fortunate myself in never having it.....

 

[wehrme]

Mental illness and depression in particular, is a very misunderstood and under-treated condition. Of those who suffer reoccurring bouts of clinical depression, substance abuse in some form is commonly present, as the sufferer is self medicating, trying to relieve themselves of the torture of their despair. Most are ashamed or afraid to admit they have a mental illness, so they suffer in silence and the depression gets worse. It is an alarming fact that 22 young military veterans commit suicide each day in this country. A very good article about Robin Williams and depression/suicide was published yesterday in the Pasadena Star Online HERE.

I'll let the media, and others, play it as they see fit.

 

[pcombe]

Mental illness and depression in particular, is a very misunderstood and under-treated condition. Of those who suffer reoccurring bouts of clinical depression, substance abuse in some form is commonly present, as the sufferer is self medicating, trying to relieve themselves of the torture of their despair. Most are ashamed or afraid to admit they have a mental illness, so they suffer in silence and the depression gets worse. It is an alarming fact that 22 young military veterans commit suicide each day in this country. A very good article about Robin Williams and depression/suicide was published yesterday in the Pasadena Star Online HERE.

from article:

“I know when I first heard, it was like ‘What?’ Who?’ “ said Katrina Gay, spokeswoman for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “I think everybody felt that way, and suddenly the faucet was opened. It became very easy to add your pour to the mix because everybody has some story to add to this tragedy, whether it’s the struggles of someone we know or even yourself.”



Speaking from experience I have never spoken to an alcoholic or drug addict who as a young person ever had aspirations of growing up and becoming addicted.

Alcohol, and drug addiction goes hand in hand with depression, my point in case history?

My grandfather as he grew to manhood became what doctors at the time labeled manic depressive.
In his manic phase he was very funny and loving and in his depressive state he isolated himself for days even weeks at a time and was very cruel and that's all I will say except that in one of his depressed states he shot and killed my 17 year old uncle in his sleep and then himself.

My own father reached the age of about 45 years old and he began to suffer from depression. He never went through the manic or depressive mood swings but he changed from what he was.
There was a stigma attached to mental illness that society ignored and family's never talked about. My dad never hurt any one probably due to memories of how his father treated him? He went untreated for the remainder of his life.
As time went by he developed the same heart and lung problems I now have and he laid in bed for ten years waiting to die.

I eventually became an alcoholic and my drinking career lasted many, many years because I was what folks term a functional alcoholic.
In my twisted thinking I became aware of my own depression and decided I wasn't going to do as my father did!
I reasoned as most good alcoholics will that if I wasn't so depressed I wouldn't drink so much?
I went to my dr. and instead of telling him I was alcoholic I told him I was depressed and he gave me anti-depressants the problem really came to head when I started chasing the anti-depressant with whiskey, lots of whiskey (a depressant). I was self medicating and reasoned that if a little was good, allot was better?

Needless to say my life soon starting going to $hit faster than I could lower my standards. I literally could sink no lower I was at the jumping off point where the only answer I could see was suicide. I planned it very well so that at least my wife and daughter could collect my life insurance or so I reasoned at the time.

I ran into a man who could see what was happening to me, guessed where I was at mentally and told me something that saved my life, He said " suicide was a permanent solution to a temporary problem" and I didn't have to live that way anymore." provided I was willing to go to any lengths to turn myself around?

That was over 5 yrs. ago now and indeed due to his help and a fellowship of folks just like me I don't have to live that way anymore.
After about a year of sobriety and my life turning around I went back to the dr. and told him I was no longer depressed and would like to go off the anti-depressants.
I followed his instructions on how to wean myself off and low and behold about two weeks later I started noticing my old thinking habits coming back, I had been with out them long enough to recognize them for what they were.
I started having mental arguments with people who weren't even there, Old resentments from years ago began to resurface and I once again started plotting in my mind elaborate schemes of revenge and I was very grandiose about it. Putting them in their place once and for all.

I knew I was getting very close to going back to my old insanity.
And I knew if I took a drink it would set off the phenomena of craving and I didn't think I could go through another sobering up and live to tell about it?

I went back to my dr. and got back on them. A few yrs. later I tried the experiment again with the same results.
I have accepted the fact that I will be on an antidepressant for the rest of my life and I am happy to take it. Its a hell of allot better than what used to be.
I am reasonably happy although I face a big physical adversity.
What's more important is my wife and children love me again and seek my council and want to be in my presence.

Today I council other alcoholics and try to get them to understand that alcohol and drugs are not really the problem with us?

Alcohol and drugs are only a SYMPTOM of our problem!

Our real problem is that we have a disease that prevents us from managing our own lives, It is both mental and physical!
Modern medicine has no cure for the disease but they do have the ability to help keep the disease in remission.

If someone gains long term sobriety they are the exception rather than the rule, and most alcoholics will die of the disease in the end and I have indeed lost friends and people I have counseled to this disease with depression being a key factor even in those with long term sobriety.
It is a disease which is cunning, baffling and powerful and centers in the brain and the only winners are those that die sober.

The only prayer I can offer on the untimely demise of Robin Williams?

I pray that God gives him what he needs?

He was a spiritual man and religion has nothing to do with it!
religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell, spirituality is for those who have already been there.
There is a place for people like Robin, after all God didn't once save his life only to pitch him to the wolves.

Rest in peace Robin!

If you see yourself in any of the above there is hope for you.

 

[Papa Zook]

Well said Brother. Thank you for sharing your story.

 

[RcSuD]

Well said Brother. Thank you for sharing your story.

What he said.:Agree:

 

[Veritas44]

Well said Brother. Thank you for sharing your story.

What he said.:Agree:



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What they Both said ThumbUp
HUGE Amen & Thunderous applause to ya PC my Brother :clapping:

 

[pcombe]

Sorry to say there must be a large Pharmacy in heaven..
Great talent, But drugs will get to you sooner or later...

"Addiction" has no respect for age, culture, religion or status in life my friend.

I have never met an alcoholic who was without a special gift or talent unless he was a wet drunk with too much damage to his brain?
He is indeed a lost soul.


" Depression" has even less respect for those who refuse to recognize it's deadly force, it is insidious!

It battles understanding by even the most analytical minds.

The answer to the riddle behind Robins death is not upstairs in the attic of our minds so don't even bother climbing up there to try and find it.
The answer is in the world around us though we may have to slow our own lives down long enough to bear witness to it?:Shrug:

 

[davek]

WOW,,,...It takes a hellofa man to tell the world your personal story...I , for one,, am proud to be, in a small way, your friend..
Dave in Fl.

 

[slick rick]

Unless a man has walked in those shoes ,, he doesn't need to complain about the soles .


R.I.P. Mr Williams you will be missed by your loyal fans

 

[bustedwing]

So true Paul, and thank you for opening up in layman's terms what depression can do to a person. It's so easy to say it's the government's fault because of taking money away, or it's religious reasons that people try to hide it. I too have had bouts with depression after my accident and have been on a steady regimen of antidepressants to combat it and continue a decent life. Once again, thank you, ride safe.