R.I.P. Robin Williams

The world is a little less alive now that Robin Williams is gone from it. What a terribly tragic death! I grieve for his family and friends.
 
He should've had a Snickers...


Never saw the part on TV where Bobcat falls over. That was cut off here in Canada.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Angelus Lupus said:
...Unless you've had experience with it, or been there for someone who has, it is all too easy to underestimate how real, dangerous and isolating depression can be.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. And it's important to note there is a big difference between feeling depressed, which most humans experience from time to time, and clinical depression. For anyone who has never dealt with clinical depression (either first-hand or through a loved one), let me give you a little insight from someone who has. Clinical depression is neither rational nor logical, and usually defies reason. Although doctors say there are a number of causes, it often does not require a "trigger" to set it off--you can be fine one day, and wake up severely depressed the next for no apparent reason; it can last for hours, days, weeks, or months (in my experience).

And it's far more than just feeling "sad". For example, think back to the time in your life when a feeling of sadness struck you stronger than any other time in your life, regardless of the reason for that sadness. Now combine that feeling with an overwhelming sense of dread and a complete and total lack of hope, but not know why you feel that way. Got it? Now multiply that feeling by 50. Or 100. Or 1,000. Now imagine not being able to rid yourself of that feeling for several days, or a week, or a month, and still have to try to go about your usual routine day after day, all the while wondering why no one else seems to feel the way you do. That's when the isolation that Angelus Lupus mentioned starts to set in, and that tends to worsen the depression you're feeling. And all of that feeds into itself, increasing your downward spiral.

It affects the way you think. You tend to focus and dwell on the "negatives" in your life (whether they're real or imagined). Apathy sets in; you don't care about anything. "Suicide? Why not? Whatever happens when we die, it can't be worse than the way I feel right now." You just want it to end, even if that means the end. Is that selfish? Maybe. But that's where the isolation and apathy come into play. You feel alone, and you don't care about anyone else. Remember, no one around you seems to feel this way (or, at least, that's what you're thinking). And, in my experience, most people don't even seem to notice you feel this way. So if no one cares about what you're going through, why would they care if you weren't there any more? (Again, this is the thought process that can occur with clinical depression; it's only one example.)

The people who do notice are usually family or close friends. They may not know exactly what's going on with you, they just notice you're not your usual self. Now, if you've dealt with it as long as I had, those family and friends might be better than most at recognizing the "signs". Then again, maybe not. And even if they do notice, and have learned what that means, it still doesn't mean they understand it and know how to help you through it--sometimes even people with the best intentions can inadvertently make you feel worse.

I apologize for deviating from the main topic so drastically, but this is something I strongly believe in--if you, or anyone you know, are/is suffering from chronic depression, please seek help immediately.
 
Great post Z61.

I'm continued to be saddened by this.

A man who inspired soo many, and accomplished soo much in his lifetime...

Just...

Damnit.

:(
 
I am so glad you posted that Zombie 61, because of the post I was just about to make. I do not know much (well, nothing actually) about clinical depression. I do not have it, nor (as far as I know) do I know anyone who has it. Sure I've been depressed before, as everyone has at some point, but I just can't imagine the magnitude of what clinical depression is.

I guess my question was going to be--what are you depressed about? Not you personally, I mean in general. But after reading your post I guess with clinical depression there really doesn't have to be an actual reason does it?
 
Laspector said:
But after reading your post I guess with clinical depression there really doesn't have to be an actual reason does it?
Click to expand...

Clinical depression is a syndrome - a constellation of symptoms which leads to a diagnosis. It can present in many ways but the key features and depressed mood or a loss of interest in pleasurable activities. There is a strong association w/ substance misuse in males. A large number of theories exist regarding the underlying cause but the primary one relates to a decrease in the amount of certain chemicals in the brain; or a decreased response to these chemicals. Depression in the male population will often present in a public setting w/ irritability or misuse of substances [especially alcohol]; part of the reason for this is the whole "macho" expectation of males within our society [mainly propagated by other males] and a lack of proper healthcare.

When it comes to suicide it is easy for people to just say that it is the option of a "coward" but you have to look at the entire picture. Depression is pervasive; it isn't something which is present for a few hrs then goes away for wks; it lasts - in Australia it is often referred to as the "black dog" cause it just sits there; waiting in the shadows; looking over EVERY aspect of your life. Suicidal thoughts are common and sadly when it isn't treated; when people feel isolated [note this is a feeling not actuality necessarily] and especially when you have ongoing substance misuse males greater than females tend to follow through. That society tends to avoid talking about these topics - they are difficult topics; even as professionals you don't get used to this despite it being something which happens sadly all too often.

So where do we go? Well hopefully to our GP; if not hopefully to our friends; hopefully we get the opportunity to share and experience some joy in our lives despite this. But it isn't something to just throw under the rug and ignore - help is needed; and not because of weakness but because this is something beyond "sadness". Sadly even with help sometimes the outcome is still tragic [as it would seem here] but there is more that can be done than many realise.

Sorry for the longwinded post - still gutted by this news; easily my favourite actor; my favourite film is What Dreams May Come [definitely interesting given the circumstances of Robin's death]. I just hope that the finality of his actions can maybe help even 1 person to reach out for assistance - it can make a difference; i've seen it make a difference. Hard to achieve that behind closed doors though :(
 
Zombie_61 said:
Absolutely. And it's important to note there is a big difference between feeling depressed, which most humans experience from time to time, and clinical depression. For anyone who has never dealt with clinical depression (either first-hand or through a loved one), let me give you a little insight from someone who has. Clinical depression is neither rational nor logical, and usually defies reason. Although doctors say there are a number of causes, it often does not require a "trigger" to set it off--you can be fine one day, and wake up severely depressed the next for no apparent reason; it can last for hours, days, weeks, or months (in my experience).And it's far more than just feeling "sad". For example, think back to the time in your life when a feeling of sadness struck you stronger than any other time in your life, regardless of the reason for that sadness. Now combine that feeling with an overwhelming sense of dread and a complete and total lack of hope, but not know why you feel that way. Got it? Now multiply that feeling by 50. Or 100. Or 1,000. Now imagine not being able to rid yourself of that feeling for several days, or a week, or a month, and still have to try to go about your usual routine day after day, all the while wondering why no one else seems to feel the way you do. That's when the isolation that Angelus Lupus mentioned starts to set in, and that tends to worsen the depression you're feeling. And all of that feeds into itself, increasing your downward spiral.It affects the way you think. You tend to focus and dwell on the "negatives" in your life (whether they're real or imagined). Apathy sets in; you don't care about anything. "Suicide? Why not? Whatever happens when we die, it can't be worse than the way I feel right now." You just want it to end, even if that means the end. Is that selfish? Maybe. But that's where the isolation and apathy come into play. You feel alone, and you don't care about anyone else. Remember, no one around you seems to feel this way (or, at least, that's what you're thinking). And, in my experience, most people don't even seem to notice you feel this way. So if no one cares about what you're going through, why would they care if you weren't there any more? (Again, this is the thought process that can occur with clinical depression; it's only one example.)The people who do notice are usually family or close friends. They may not know exactly what's going on with you, they just notice you're not your usual self. Now, if you've dealt with it as long as I had, those family and friends might be better than most at recognizing the "signs". Then again, maybe not. And even if they do notice, and have learned what that means, it still doesn't mean they understand it and know how to help you through it--sometimes even people with the best intentions can inadvertently make you feel worse.I apologize for deviating from the main topic so drastically, but this is something I strongly believe in--if you, or anyone you know, are/is suffering from chronic depression, please seek help immediately.
Click to expand...
Great post man. Robin was far from a coward. I can see how some may think that way but I feel that they are just ignorant to how his frame of mind was. So so sad. :(Ben
 
Great discussion about clinical depression...let's open that door wide and show what it's all about. Kudos from members here to discuss their personal journey/feelings about this:cool
 
I am sure some here are already aware of this, but for others here is little background info from Wiki.

Robin Williams had cocaine addiction during the late 70s and early 80s and eventually became an alcoholic. Friend John Belushi's death and the birth of his son Zak was a wake call which led him to quit drugs and alcohol.

Robin was sober for nearly 20 years. He started drinking again in 2003 and later in 2006 he checked himself into a substance abuse rehabilitation center.

In 2009 he developed heart problems and had to undergo surgery to replace his aortic valve. In a 2010 interview he acknowledged that he had failed to maintain sobriety but stated he would never return to the usage of cocaine.

During June 2014 he was in a rehab facility and was part of a program which mostly helped him to maintain his sobriety, guess along with severe depression it took a toll on him.

And these are mere bullet points. One can't imagine the personal demons he was battling with, just like others can't really understand the personal hardships you dealt with or still dealing with in your own life unless they had similar experiences.
 
Great posts Z61 & DrT ! The worst part of depression is how it makes you feel alone ! Having a community like this where members can share during times like this when so many people have felt touched in someway by a great actor like Robin I'm sure gives hope and makes others , myself included , feel not so alone at times . Kudos to the RPF and all it's thoughtful members.

Rest in peace Robin
 
Posted on Disney's facebook page

28Id1fA.jpg
 
I would like to think I'm not the only one really bummed out about this! I For a long time I have

Dealt with anxiety and depression. I cannot say I know what he was thinking, but it's sad to

Think he felt this way at all.

With the loss of Harold Ramis, H.R. Giger, and now Robin Williams (the one man that could guarantee

A laugh!). It just sucks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

The Terminator
"Robin's Wish" A documentary about Robin Williams
Replies
1
Views
650
Halliwax
Halliwax
guabe
Limited Run 5layer 0f c1ones - Kelleran Beq's main lightsaber as seen on Mando Season 3
2 3
Replies
41
Views
5,614
guabe
guabe
MoviePropCollector
Sotheby's Robin Williams Estate Auction
Replies
1
Views
1,380
Kovnyn
Kovnyn
K
Robin Williams photo
Replies
6
Views
1,698
Kncmeza
K
M
R.I.P. Vinnie Paul Abbott
Replies
6
Views
1,278
Kovnyn
Kovnyn
Back
Top