Robin Williams Dead (Suicide).

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

This is sadly a pretty common theme with comedic actors. I think that they use their humour and jokes to make people laugh and to fit in in a way. Meanwhile hiding a lot of the inner demons they have. Some of the most hilarious, joker, and non serious friends, have the toughest pasts. It's almost a way of distancing themselves and escaping. A form of compartmentalization. I know that I have used humour and feigned lightheartedness to hide my own pain at times. So that people would think everything was fine because I didn't want them to worry. Just look at the cast of SNL. Many lost to addictions and deep depression ending in suicide.

Just my own thoughts. It's really sad regardless. Robin Williams has made me laugh many many times. He was versatile and such a nice man. He used to eat at a sushi restaurant next to where I worked. I saw him nearly every day for a few weeks. He was always so friendly and kind. It just goes to show you that no matter how much money someone has, we all battle the same wars and suffer the same pains.

Beautifully stated, my friend. Remind me later to hug you...HARD.

Comedy is a way of processing personal pain...always has been.

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

Robin Willams suffered from Bipolar, which is a little different then just depression. It is why he could be so happy and yet so sad at the same time. His Right/Left brain struggle as written above is a small glimpse to the actual feelings that went along with it. While money issues plague a lot of us, as he said, it goes beyond that for someone with Bipolar. Other people around you and their moods can turn your world upside down in a nanosecond.

This is a terrible loss for the world but it has really hit the mental health community hard. He was a figure head for success to people with bipolar and to lose him to the illness is heartbreaking. Bottom line that is what killed him. Bipolar is a horrible illness and one that many people don't understand and therefore don't know just how bad it can be.

 

[uncleg]

 

[manni]

James Lipton's interview last night on CNN was a good watch
and he referenced Pagliacci at the end.
RIP Robin Williams. 1951–2014.

 

[wetnose]

One of the greats of our generation - will be dearly missed.

 

[Claire Monet]

This is so sad. He was a great one to be loved for generations to come.

 

[CJ Tylers]

But seriously folks, a third Mrs. Doubtfire might be enough to put anyone over the edge...

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

I just saw the most amazing story about Robin Williams and Koko, the gorilla famed for her signing ability and what it's taught us about primate intelligence.

After her companion Michael died, Koko was quite inconsolable for some time. She hadn't smiled in over 6 months. Then her 'surrogate mother', Dr. Penny Paterson got a request. Robin Williams was fascinated by Koko and wanted to meet her. I'm sure you can YouTube it. Hearing that the only thing that could bring a smile back to Koko's face was meeting Robin Williams moved me to tears...

 

[hornygandalf]

I just saw the most amazing story about Robin Williams and Koko, the gorilla famed for her signing ability and what it's taught us about primate intelligence.

After her companion Michael died, Koko was quite inconsolable for some time. She hadn't smiled in over 6 months. Then her 'surrogate mother', Dr. Penny Paterson got a request. Robin Williams was fascinated by Koko and wanted to meet her. I'm sure you can YouTube it. Hearing that the only thing that could bring a smile back to Koko's face was meeting Robin Williams moved me to tears...

And it seems that Koko is in mourning as well, if this website is to be believed...
http://sfist.com/2014/08/12/koko_the_gorilla_expresses_grief_ov.php

 

[Elle Diablo]

Robin Willams suffered from Bipolar, which is a little different then just depression. It is why he could be so happy and yet so sad at the same time. His Right/Left brain struggle as written above is a small glimpse to the actual feelings that went along with it. While money issues plague a lot of us, as he said, it goes beyond that for someone with Bipolar. Other people around you and their moods can turn your world upside down in a nanosecond.

This is a terrible loss for the world but it has really hit the mental health community hard. He was a figure head for success to people with bipolar and to lose him to the illness is heartbreaking. Bottom line that is what killed him. Bipolar is a horrible illness and one that many people don't understand and therefore don't know just how bad it can be.

Just a side note ...

Next time a friend, family member, colleague, associate, stranger ... anyone is acting out of sorts according to how we are "expected" to behave, as in happy, indifferent, tough, be sensitive to the fact some people are in pain and perhaps need a friendly smile or a shoulder to lean on rather than being told to "snap out of it", "cheer up" or the ever popular "what do you have to be sad about?"

We all suffer privately.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

And it seems that Koko is in mourning as well, if this website is to be believed...
http://sfist.com/2014/08/12/koko_the_gorilla_expresses_grief_ov.php

I believe it. I heard Penny Paterson say it on CNN...that Koko became very sad when she learned that her good friend Robin had died.

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

Just a side note ...

Next time a friend, family member, colleague, associate, stranger ... anyone is acting out of sorts according to how we are "expected" to behave, as in happy, indifferent, tough, be sensitive to the fact some people are in pain and perhaps need a friendly smile or a shoulder to lean on rather than being told to "snap out of it", "cheer up" or the ever popular "what do you have to be sad about?"

We all suffer privately.

Great reminder, thanks!

I believe it. I heard Penny Paterson say it on CNN...that Koko became very sad when she learned that her good friend Robin had died.

I believe it too. I aw the video of them together that you are referring too, it was great. I was laughing so hard. That is one smart cookie Koko. She knows more then people would give her credit for. Doesn't shock me in the least that she was sad to hear of his death.

 

[sevenofnine]

sad,

you never really know the troubles a person has.
I remember one comment about him he was always on, on 100 percent,

 

[MissVioletRei]

a true creative and comedic mind.

jumanji and jack were among my favorites.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

I have to say ' fuck fuck fuck fucking fuck '!!!!
My uncle committed suicide, my dad committed suicide and I fight depression. My disease is under control for now.
Not saying this for sympathy!!
I'm still so fucking angry at my dad but I understand.
Robin's family will NEVER get over this. Trust me I know.
Just wanted to say my piece here and not be recognized in my home town. (therapeutic)
It's still a hidden and somewhat shamefull problem and very much misunderstood.
I personally know what kind of feelings he was going through. In my opinion, there is a strong need for doctors and government to set up a help line, a check up system of some sort. Once you have been diagnosed with depression there needs to be a system like AA. Drugs are needed but very supervised once taken. (my uncles drugs made him worse)
If you know of anyone fighting this disease, I beg of you to talk to them. Be positive. Try your best to have them open up. Beg them to share their troubles. Listen intently.
Most importantly is to reiterate time and again that They are not alone!!!
Be a non judgemental friend that they can call at anytime.
They will come out of it with counseling and medication!
Thanks for reading and letting me express my view.
God bless his family! They will need it.

I echo every sentiment...40 mg of Citalopram every day is my lifeline. It took me a really long time to find the right medication, the right balance of lifestyle and the acceptance to say yes, I DO have depression and anxiety but I do NOT have to suffer from depression and anxiety. It is a mindset. It's the difference between the social construct of DISEASE vs. CONDITION. To keep my condition in check, I take my meds, I don't drink alcohol, I eat properly, I sleep in accordance with my body's rhythms, and I enjoy myself every day I wake up on the right side of the ground. Cliches and Pharrell Williams aside, I choose to be happy most of the time, because if I can control/choose my mood, it stops my condition from making the choice for me! I don't have to be nice all the time, I don't have to be sweet and weak; I have just learned how to say 'with all due respect..' with a smile on my face while my internal subtext is screaming 'Go fuck yourself up the ass with a ground glass dildo!".

When you keep your struggles private, you keep yourself stuck in the struggle. Seek help, talk to the people who care about you, and if you need someone to talk to and feel like no one cares about you, talk to a sympathetic stranger....like me or like any number of the fine women I consider peers.

Love and blessings to all,

Erica

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

Great attitude Erica, don't ever lose that!!!:thumb:

Thank you, my sweet. It's the attitude that comes with experience, and with the conscious decision to live happy, to be youthful, and to enjoy myself, because life is too damn short not to. My grandmother Ruth would have been 100 this month (she died 2 years ago); she lost her oldest son when he was only 40. A year later, she lost her husband of 42 years...and carried on for more than 35 years on her own. She was the centre of every room she entered, she was the belle of every ball she attended. She was still going dancing with a man 10 years younger than her until a month before her death. A few months before she died, she had made her peace and was ready to go...and she went peacefully and smiling. She had a long struggle with depresseion and alcoholism (as has nearly every member of my family I can think of...) but she chose to live happy.

I AM my grandmother's granddaughter.

 

[1nitestan]

This place (dunno where) is paying tribute in a positive way

 

[uncleg]

I wonder how many people he has taken/will take, with him ?

 

[1nitestan]

I wonder how many people he has taken/will take, with him ?

Ummm, it's not a killing spree.

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

OK, I've written a response to this thread a few times and keep deleting the message, so, I'll keep it short.

I hope he has finally found the peace he was looking for.

As someone who is suffering from depression and severe anxiety, leading to insomnia, I really hope his death does a few things.

First, a lot of people are starting to open up with their battles with depression. So many people suffer with depression in silence because it is a taboo subject. If his death can kick the taboo door down where people can openly discuss depression, well, that'd be incredible.

Second, a lot of people have opened up with their drug abuse issues. I had a friend OD in my arms when I was a teenager and had a cousin beaten within an inch of his life due to money owed for drugs.

I kind of hope that our view of why to tell kids drugs aren't good for you changes as a result. Instead of saying, doing drugs is bad because you won't have any fun, like its current model, we should be following the lines of Louis CK and stating that drugs are so good, that it will literally ruin your life and can kill you.

Or something along those lines.

Either way, I hope the line of discourse continues after people have moved onto another topic of interest in 2 days.

Thank you for sharing your stuggles. The more people share their stories about mental illness, the more awareness is brought to the forefront and the more the stigmas about mental illness are thrown out the window.

This place (dunno where) is paying tribute in a positive way

Love seeing these types of things instead of some of the negative reactions going on out there.