One of my favourite actors died today. I was shocked when I saw the headline -- Robin Williams, dead at 63. As I read the article and discovered that he had been struggling with depression, I wasn't as surprised. I knew Williams had a history with depression, possibly bi-polar disorder, or so it was rumoured at one point.
Clinical depression is such a devastating illness. Mental illness is so serious and requires proper attention and treatment. Depression isn't 'having a bad day' or choosing to just stay in your pyjamas and go back to bed. Depression is a medical condition in which the brain does not properly maintain levels of serotonin and/or norepinephrine - neurotransmitters in the brain that stabilize mood, sleep, energy levels, appetite, memory and more.
Depression turns a normal functioning brain into a tunnel of narrow darkness. You stop seeing possibilities. You become hopeless. You just want the pain to end as you lose your joy. Suicidal thoughts feed off of the disturbing shift in mood and sadness. Depressed persons start to erroneously believe that their loved ones will be better off without them. This is simply not true! (I have worked with too many of the so-called 'survivors of suicide' and I can tell you, they NEVER get over it! They are forever devastated). No one commits suicide in their right mind. It is a mental illness. And a mental illness is a medical issue/physical disorder. Period.
Refuse the stigma. Mental illness can be treated! Medication, therapy and faith work to treat depression. Reach out and get help. No one needs to suffer like the beautiful spirit of Robin Williams.
My favourite movie -- "Mrs. Doubtfire." "It was a drive-by fruiting!" RIP Robin. Rest in Peace.
Image Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
