....thank you for all the laughs

[Galeygoo]

Touchy subject here, but, anyway you look at it, we lost a comedic giant and he will be missed by many.  Dear Lord, please guide his family and friends
 
I will always remember his amazing talent and am grateful for all the laughs and enjoyment he gave to me and many people.  I loved many of his movies and cannot even think about his name or enviosion his face without smiling. I mostly enjoyed his over the top improv skills and unmatched adlibs when he was a guest on a talk show.   My God, I would laugh like hell.  I'm going to try to keep doing the same when I recall my memories. 
   
Rest in Peace, Robin Williams.  You made a difference....

[pokerforme]

Sad that he could make so many happy but was not happy himself. He was one of the best.

[olds442jetaway]

Such a genius and unfortunately such a waste of a life. My thoughts and prayers go out too to all close to him. My sister who is a long time Sonoma resident had seen Robin about town several times over the years. He was involved and helped many local charities that most people know little or nothing about. RIP and hopefully it is peace you will find now.

[Minn. Fatz]

Gilbert Gottfried was on the radio this morning saying he, Williams and Bob Sagat had done a benefit a little while ago, after which they got together with Billy Crystal who just happened to be in town for a late dinner in some diner. I imagine not a lot of food got eaten at the other tables what with it shooting out all the other diner's noses the whole time...

[DaBurglar]

Depression, and Alcohol and drug addiction, are diseases just like Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer etc etc etc.      The organ involved in this case is the BRAIN, which can go bad just like any other ORGAN or part of the body like our heart, or lungs, liver, stomach etc etc etc.I am still waiting for the day for people to finally "get" this and accept it, and STOP thinking that illness like Depression, and Substance Abuse, is a "Moral" problem or Character Issue.I have been reading about Robin Williams lifelong struggle with depression and addiction, and what seems to be consistent is how everyone around him and associated with him keeps marveling at how "on the outside he seemed so happy, so full of energy" etc etc       Well, how often do we hear about the person who suddenly drops dead of a heart attack but when you look at them they seem perfectly "Fit and Fine" on the outside?   Sure, many other people who die of heart disease are overweight, or smoke or lead stressful lives....or how many times a person seemingly happy and healthy suddenly gets cancer....well, it is the same with diseases of the brain.if anything "positive" can come out of this tragedy, let us hope it involves greater acceptance and empathy for people suffering from "Brain diseases" like Depression and Substance Abuse.

[BillyJoe]

Depression, and Alcohol and drug addiction, are diseases just like Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer etc etc etc.      The organ involved in this case is the BRAIN, which can go bad just like any other ORGAN or part of the body like our heart, or lungs, liver, stomach etc etc etc.I am still waiting for the day for people to finally "get" this and accept it, and STOP thinking that illness like Depression, and Substance Abuse, is a "Moral" problem or Character Issue.I have been reading about Robin Williams lifelong struggle with depression and addiction, and what seems to be consistent is how everyone around him and associated with him keeps marveling at how "on the outside he seemed so happy, so full of energy" etc etc       Well, how often do we hear about the person who suddenly drops dead of a heart attack but when you look at them they seem perfectly "Fit and Fine" on the outside?   Sure, many other people who die of heart disease are overweight, or smoke or lead stressful lives....or how many times a person seemingly happy and healthy suddenly gets cancer....well, it is the same with diseases of the brain.if anything "positive" can come out of this tragedy, let us hope it involves greater acceptance and empathy for people suffering from "Brain diseases" like Depression and Substance Abuse.


I had two acquaintances that committed suicide. In both cases, there were no external signs at all. Both were healthy, working, etc.

[olds442jetaway]

Same here Billy Joe. Not in recent years, but still in recent memory. One was a friend from study hall going way back. Happened soon after her other half came back from Nam. So sad. Not to dwell on the past, but these things have a way of doing that. The other owned a Shell Gas Station and I think he borrowed money from the wrong people. They really never solved that one. Scotty was a really nice low key guy and a family man as well. My bach. degree in Psych certainly isn't going to solve any of these kind of problems buried deep within people. Best you can do is realize every day is a gift and treat it as such. Also think before you act which is sometimes pretty hard to do no matter how strong we think we are.

[cook1947]

As someone who has suffered severe depression all my life, I would like to share that outward emotions show nothing about the deep, black, hole, devoide of emotion you carry with you. Robin knew he was loved and knew what a comedic genius he was, but someone with severe depression does not share in that joy. I had many friends come up to me and grab my shoulders and just say "Smile..be happy. Get over it." It is definately a "ME" illness because your brain just keeps trying to remind you how miserable "it thinks" you really are.That is where the "me" comes in..I have found activities to do to quit thinking about it.  With medication and understanding the disease,  I have hopefully found a combination to "HELP", but Robin might have been in a catatonic depressive state at the time, and no words, nothing would have stopped him from trying to stop the pain. Someone asked me once, "What does depression feel like?"I thought about it, trying to put into words a feeling, but then it came to me.. You don't feel..it is like sitting in a black hole. I don't feel joy nor great happiness.. I am getting used to it to a degree. It is simply a brain disfunction not necessarily caused by problems..it is just there. Sorry to get maudlin, but it is what it is.

[cook1947]

This is the last post from me on the Forum. I rarely am answered or even generate even a reply, so my valueless opinions will be kept to myself.  

[DaBurglar]

This is the last post from me on the Forum. I rarely am answered or even generate even a reply, so my valueless opinions will be kept to myself.  

I posted a reply to your other post in this same section, so allow me to post a reply here since I did not see this until just now....First off, please accept my sympathy (and empathy) for your struggle with depression......from my own personal experience with physical disability, we all struggle with challenges and emotions that NO ONE ELSE can possibly know, since everyone is unique and everyone experiences the various situations in life DIFFERENTLY!     Pain is a subjective thing.....one person's Headache is another person's brain tumor, and another person's minor ache, etc.    I once took a final examination in the subject of 3rd year Latin (Language, Literature & Roman History) less than 24 hours after major orthopedic surgery, and received a B+ ...... while a roommate "Sicked out" of a final exam due to a stomach ache......I am not judging, merely pointing out that pain and suffering is a difficult subject to converse upon, especially in a forum like this.   But I personally am glad you shared your feelings and thoughts, and you did enlighten me personally upon what "Depression" can feel like and seem like from the sufferer's point of view!    I have no experience with MAJOR, clinical depression, apart from feeling a little of the more common depression people in general feel.,