[Anjae]

The Guardian site has published and interview with Robin Williams from 2010 in which he talks about his drinking, drugs and depression. It is worthy read:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/sep/20/robin-williams-worlds-greatest-dad-alcohol-drugs

"I was in a small town where it's not the edge of the world, but you can see it from there, and then I thought: drinking. I just thought, hey, maybe drinking will help. Because I felt alone and afraid. It was that thing of working so much, and going f***, maybe that will help. And it was the worst thing in the world." What did he feel like when he had his first drink? "You feel warm and kind of wonderful. And then the next thing you know, it's a problem, and you're isolated."

and

Among many other things he says "Some have suggested it was Reeve's death that turned him back to drink. "No," he says quietly, "it's more selfish than that. It's just literally being afraid. And you think, oh, this will ease the fear. And it doesn't." What was he afraid of? "Everything. It's just a general all-round arggghhh. It's fearfulness and anxiety."


I think it applies to our MLCers. They feel alone, they are filled with fear, they go for OW/OM, alcohol, drugs, cars, motorbikes, new clothes, ect. and, of course, none of those things solves anything.

http://www.nextavenue.org/blog/what-does-exploding-rate-boomer-suicide-say-about-us - this article about the growing rate of suicide among baby boomers is also interesting.

And Coursera, through John Hopkins School of Nursing is offering a course called Alcohol, Drugs, and Baby Boomers: Are you ready? The course allow those who are nurses or healthcare professionals to ear CNE credit.

[trusting]

I had heard I think several years ago that Robin Williams was bipolar.  I know the depressive episodes that go along with that are debilitating.   

He will be missed.

[twiceburnt]

I was very sad to hear of his passing.  I always liked him as a comedian and an actor.  "What Dreams May Come" was always one of my favorites.  When my W came back the first time, she sent me an email.  In it she mentioned she'd rather die that be without me.  I wonder if I wouldn't have taken her back, if suicide or at least thoughts of suicide would have been in the mix. 

[OldPilot]

I had heard I think several years ago that Robin Williams was bipolar.  I know the depressive episodes that go along with that are debilitating.   

He will be missed.

Yes he was bipolar.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/08/11/robin-williams-bipolar-sufferer-dead-at-63-due-to-suicide/

I would hope that this might turn the light on this disease and something good might come from something so bad.

[kikki]

I would hope that this might turn the light on this disease and something good might come from something so bad.

I hope so too.
This is interesting below.  Sounds as though this has caused quite a backlash, with people calling for this tv host's resignation.

http://digg.com/video/fox-news-host-calls-robin-williams-such-a-coward-over-alleged-suicide

[kikki]

OP, is that the correct link?  I can't seem to open it up?

[OldPilot]

OP, is that the correct link?  I can't seem to open it up?

Try it again now

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/08/11/robin-williams-bipolar-sufferer-dead-at-63-due-to-suicide/

[kikki]

Thanks OP, works this time.

[Anjae]

They don't really know if he suffered from bipolar. They say he was never diagnosed for it, but are basing it on his behaviour.

"Editorial note: We acknowledge Williams himself has never stated, to our knowledge, that he had been formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression."

It seems Williams hilself has never said he suffered from depression but those close to him say he was battling depression. And on the Guardian article he talks about lows and other things.

These days, despite it all, people are a little more aware and news hosts or others who still use the same old beaten ideas about depression, mental illness or suicide generate quite a backlash.

[OceanLady]

Robin's wife announced a few days ago that Robin was diagnosed and battling Parkinson's Disease.  I'm sure that did not help anything and may have toppled his strength to fight anything anymore.   The rehab facility that he went to a few months back is also said to be back in the 80's...way behind today's top facilities of treating the addiction as well as the depression...both need to be treated at the same time, not one at a time.

I loved the movies: The Bird Cage, Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poet's Society, Mrs. Doubtfire...as well as all the others.  He will surely be missed by all of us...world-wide.  RIP Robin!