Robin Williams dead of suspected suicide: Are comedians more plagued by depression than other stars?

FoxNews.com ^ | August 12, 2014 | Hollie McKay

[Biggirl]

LOS ANGELES – They earn their living by making the masses laugh, but experts say comedians are all too often masking intense sadness behind those smiles.

[dangus]

Hyperlexia isn’t that far from Asperger’s.

[PATRIOT1876]

Shazbot

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Some shrinks say that suicide is a very aggressive move, not passive, like, I am going to get even with the world.

[dfwgator]

One way to cope with depression is making other people happy. That probably is way many people suffering from depression do become comics.

[TexasGator]

“Comedian or not, is it just me, or do others see suicide as a selfish act? “

One has to wonder. Looking back at the plot of World’s Greatest Dad is haunting.

[pfflier]

Think obummer will order us to fly the flag at half staff?

[discostu]

I was watching the Watchmen over the weekend. Which of course meant hearing this one:
Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, “Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.” Man bursts into tears. Says “But Doctor... I am Pagliacci.” Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.

Yes comedians are more prone to depression, there’s a reason they need to hear people laugh.

[mulligan]

Decent individuals, living in a decent America. Many changes and most for the worse. Evil reigns today.

[ken5050]

FYI..this week airs the finale of the “Last Comic Standing”

[dfwgator]

They were from an era before comedy had an “edge”.

[b4its2late]

They probably only boozed it up. Drugs are a totally different mind altering scenario.

[publius911]

If I have nothing good to say about someone recently departed, good manners dictate that I best say nothing.

Moving right along...

[chris37]

Yes.

[Girlene]

That was great. Thanks for posting it.

[ArtDodger]

Don’t get me wrong, I can only imagine the anguish that one must go through to end one’s life.... Just seems that thought of loved ones would tip the scale in favor of backing out of the act.

[minnesota_bound]

I have a couple of his routines saved on my computer. He could be funny but he was too manic for me. The movies I had seen of his tend to blame capitalism and conservatism while he himself enjoyed the millions he made from those movies. He bashed Reagan thru Bush but went light with democrats. I remember his comment about Bob Hope doing the same routine for decades and that he did not want to end up like that. Bob Hope was a big radio, tv star and had many successful movies.

Robin Williams comedy was the same from his Mork days.

One of his homes. $35 million, 653 acres.
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/celebrity-homes/robin-williams-house/

[mmichaels1970]

Comedian or not, is it just me, or do others see suicide as a selfish act? I know depression can really bring a person down and terminal diseases can be agony, but killing yourself devastates the family left behind.

Absolutely selfish. But if he indeed had bipolar disorder, I don't believe he was in complete control of his decision.

When the brain triggers a manic depressive state in bipolar, the person can't recall any happiness, any love, any goodness in life. They believe that they've never been happy and never will be.

They remember every bad experience, and fail to recall any good ones. They can't save themselves by worrying about how their death will affect their loved ones because in their manic state, nobody loves them. Nobody ever has cared, or will care. They can't comprehend that their actions are messing up their future, because in their minds, they have already blown their future.

They can't turn to religion and the love of Christ or fear of hell to stop it. Because their brain is telling them that Christ himself doesn't love them. That they are destined and fully deserving of hell. I can't comprehend how awful it would be to have my brain telling me that. Must be like Satan himself inside your brain.

Then, as quickly as that, if you can be by their side during the episode, they come out of it. They become normal for a while, weeks, months perhaps. I believe the key is to be there when it happens. To call an ambulance, the police, or drive to the hospital when necessary.

With bipolar, their manic episodes can also swing to the other side of the spectrum. They are the life of the party. They are the funniest, or most artistic person you've ever met. You marvel that this person can really go places with their talent. Or, to the extreme, they look like Daffy Duck in one of the old cartoons, bouncing off the walls, laughing , yelling and getting out of hand with their "positivity". They decide on a project, or hobby that you just know they'll lose interest in soon enough.

So, in my opinion, bipolar just plain sucks. Suicide is wrong and NEVER the answer. But I will never pretend to know what a person in that state could have done to save themselves. I will not condemn a person for this decision, but will pity them and their loved ones and pray that they have found healing and peace.

[Baynative]

You are right. Depression is one of the most devastating and least understood maladies humans deal with. The how and why of what brings it on has no rules, nor does status in life, family support or personal condition.

[ArtDodger]

Powerful explanation. Thank you.

[goodnesswins]

Suicide as “selfish act”...Part of me thinks it depends on the cause of the mental condition...30 years ago after my father died I found out my father’s father committed suicide by hanging himself in the family home. My father was 14 and an only child. Knowing that caused MANY dominoes to fall into place about my father...an alcoholic who married several times. I have come to say my father spent his life committing suicide. ..with alcohol. And it leaves a mark on generations to follow...