I just saw the news about Robin Williams death and I have to say Im at a loss. According to the news, he had been suffering from severe depression and there is speculation that his death is a suicide. How, people may ask, does a man that delighted many and was larger than life, suffer from depression and kill himself? Sadly, depression is a mental illness that does not discriminate. It can afflict the very people you least suspect of being unhappy. Depression is a tough disease to battle because it bears no physical wounds like a rash or a limp or a cough. It is an invisible ailment. One that is sorely misunderstood. Depression is not something you can just snap out of. It is very real and very painful and extraordinarily hard to deal with at times. So hard in fact, that a man, who lit up theater screens for decades and probably had access to the best mental health care possible, gave up. I know what it is like. I know what it feels like to think you have no options and that everything is wrong in the world. I know what it feels like to want to curl up in a ball and sob. Yes, someone like me has felt those deep, dark thoughts before. I dont share this for pity or for words of encouragement. I share because I want to help clear away misconceptions about depression. I want to do my part to bring awareness of what depression is really like. It is not something to be glossed over or ignored. So next time someone says they suffer from depression, know that there is an internal war going on inside of them. Know that they are fighting hard. And know that they are brave as hell. Those with depression dont want pity... they simply just want understanding. Fittingly enough, here is a quote from Bicentennial Man, one of Mr. Williams films. There must be a reason that I am as I am. There must be. Everyone has a purpose. Every action has a meaning.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:03:14 +0000
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