Robin Williams

About two decades ago my wife and I met Robin Williams when we saw the movie Mrs. Doubtfire. Williams, who played the role of Mrs. Doubtfire was outstanding. His winsome personality as an actor made us feel as though we met him personally.

Last week Robin Williams committed suicide. News of his death suddenly replaced the headlines of warfare around the world. “Mrs. Doubtfire” had been struggling with depression for several years and had previously beaten a dependency to alcohol and drugs in the seventies and eighties. 

The actor was reported to have been downsizing his properties after two divorces left him in serious debt. In a 2013 interview with Parade Magazine, Williams said that divorce was expensive. He added that he used to joke that before the word “alimony” was invented, they were going to call it “all the money”.

Since his death, some of us are learning that Williams was a humble man. Just as he had an impact on the lives of his viewers, we had an impact on his life. One commentator observed that he was living off our laughs. In their grief, the family requested – “As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”

From my research, I understand depression is a mood disorder in which overwhelming feelings of sadness, loss of pleasure, guilt, and hopelessness interfere with daily life. Everyone experiences some unhappiness, often as a result of a life change, either in the form of a setback or a loss, or simply, as everyday misery. The painful feelings that accompany these events are usually appropriate and temporary, and can even present an opportunity for personal growth and improvement. 

However, when sadness persists and impairs daily life, it may indicate a depressive disorder. Severity, duration, and the presence of other symptoms are the factors that distinguish normal sadness from clinical disorder.

My wife who did her graduate thesis on depression, tells me that there are various types of depression. I understand that in major depression, at least five critical symptoms must occur nearly every day for a period of at least 2 weeks, and they must represent a change from previous behavior or mood. Depressed mood or loss of interest must be present.

All the causes of depression are not fully known. Scholars tell us depression is most likely due to a combination of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors. Many people with major depression also have an alcohol use disorder or drug abuse problems. Studies on the connections between alcohol dependence and depression have still not resolved whether one causes the other or if they both share some common biologic factor.

In commenting on Robin Williams, one commentator said, “when you’re a big celebrity, people are afraid to tell you the truth. People are afraid to tell you anything because you’re a source of income. I don’t know if that’s why people were afraid to dig deep with him or that he was just really good at covering his pain.”

One of Robin’s good friends, the CEO of the Laugh Factory, said, “He was always in character – you never saw the real Robin. I knew him 35 years, and I never knew him.” He made us laugh and we assumed that his life was one of similar laughter – that was not the case. He generated moments of joy in public but carried personal pain in private.

I understand depression is not rare in men. In fact, white men over the age of 85 have the highest rates of suicide of any group. Men may be more likely than women to mask their depression by using alcohol.

Researchers tell us depression is less reported in the male population, but this may be caused by male tendencies to deny symptoms, avoid seeking help, and masking emotional disorders with specific behaviors and vices.  

Can depressed people be helped? Yes - depending on the severity of one’s depression, treatment will differ. In every case, treatment is intended to assist the depressed person to cope or respond better to the set of circumstances he or she may be facing. At times persons require medication and forms of therapy. 

From treatments prescribed, it becomes obvious that wholesome living environments can significantly reduce depression. Such wholesome environments are strongly encouraged for persons who choose to make the Bible their guide. 

For instance, it was Peter, the disciple of Jesus who said: “...cast all your anxiety on Him (Jesus) because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). The Scriptures are replete with admonitions, encouraging wholesome living. I trust you will find this to be true and not resort to disastrous options.