Robin Williams. Can't help but think....

[Anonymous]

Substance abuse
Somewhat sexual promiscuity
Experienced the highest highs (manic)
Experienced the lowest lows ( depressed)
Can you imagine a world where mental illness did not have the stigma that it does?

[Anonymous]

I don't get your point. What can't you help but think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Substance abuse
Somewhat sexual promiscuity
Experienced the highest highs (manic)
Experienced the lowest lows ( depressed)
Can you imagine a world where mental illness did not have the stigma that it does?

He had been receiving treatment for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get your point. What can't you help but think?

Read it again. You may pick up the answer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get your point. What can't you help but think?

Read it again. You may pick up the answer!

How about making a clear point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get your point. What can't you help but think?

Read it again. You may pick up the answer!

How about making a clear point?

NP here - don't get it either... just googled SSEEC to make sure I wasn't missing something but no, still don't get it.

[Anonymous]

That he would be alive if mental illness did not carry a stigma?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That he would be alive if mental illness did not carry a stigma?

I don't think he killed himself because of any stigma. He was pretty open about his demons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That he would be alive if mental illness did not carry a stigma?

I don't think he killed himself because of any stigma. He was pretty open about his demons.

+1 It was the depression that killed him, not stigma.

[Anonymous]

It was the mix of meds he was on (primarily the new one for his Parkinson's) that exacerbated his depression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was the mix of meds he was on (primarily the new one for his Parkinson's) that exacerbated his depression.

Hmm. I thought he was pretty torn up about the fact of the Parkinson's diagnosis itself. I guess it's hard to say what exactly tipped the balance with such a hurting individual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the mix of meds he was on (primarily the new one for his Parkinson's) that exacerbated his depression.

Hmm. I thought he was pretty torn up about the fact of the Parkinson's diagnosis itself. I guess it's hard to say what exactly tipped the balance with such a hurting individual.

I have read that in the early stages of Parkinson's, your dopamine receptors are severely affected. It may have been a "false low" exacerbated by the Parkinson's messing with his brain. For someone prone to depression I imagine that could have been incredibly difficult to discern from a typical depressed period. He may not have realized it was the Parkinson's or that it could be treated.

[Anonymous]

Not well reported in the press, the PP is correct. Parkinsons comeswith severe depression - it's all about the dopamine and the meds. He was suicidal due to that....not the other - he had already battled those for years. Most people do not understand Parkinsons. They think it is tremors, its for old people...

He literally died from complications of Parkinsons...not mental health and stigma issues.

[Anonymous]

If bipolar was understood in the general population, perhaps people suffering from this disorder could be better supported and understood. Can you imagine a world where people showed empathy toward a person in a manic phase rather than label them as crazy, or with issues they are dealing with? Can you imagine a world where people are educated about bipolar mania? I am saying that a little education and understanding and empathy could go a long way. Why is that so hard to understand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the mix of meds he was on (primarily the new one for his Parkinson's) that exacerbated his depression.

Hmm. I thought he was pretty torn up about the fact of the Parkinson's diagnosis itself. I guess it's hard to say what exactly tipped the balance with such a hurting individual.

I have read that in the early stages of Parkinson's, your dopamine receptors are severely affected. It may have been a "false low" exacerbated by the Parkinson's messing with his brain. For someone prone to depression I imagine that could have been incredibly difficult to discern from a typical depressed period. He may not have realized it was the Parkinson's or that it could be treated.

Would there be a problem if he died of mental illness? Is it easier to tell yourself he died of side effects of Parkinson's? He was mentally ill long before his Parkinson's diagnosis. He was a wonderful talented man who suffered from mental illness for a long time. I stand by my belief that we need to educate ourselves about mental illness. The world could have supported Robin Williams instead of suffering in silence. At one point cancer held a stigma. I hope we get over the stigma of mental illness.