Williams, 63, who had been struggling with depression before his apparent suicide on Monday, told Terry Gross on the “Fresh Air” NPR radio show in 2006 that mania was something he imitated for characters he sometimes performed. But depression, he said, was more personal.

“Do I perform sometimes in a manic style? Yes,” Williams said. “Am I manic all the time? No. Do I get sad? Oh yeah. Does it hit me hard? Oh yeah.” Huffington Post

It is not a secret that Robin Williams has struggled with depression and substance abuse during his career. In recent years, he has talked openly about his struggles. With Robin Williams, I suspect that the humor hid a lot of the pain.

It is not certain why people get depressed, but there is some evidence that there may be a genetic tendency to inherit depression-especially bipolar depression from which he seems to have suffered.  This may have been the case with Williams, but we will never know. It has been described that he suffers from bipolar disorder and when depression strikes bipolar patients it is often worse than others. Depression is also associated with Parkinson’s disease from which it has been said he suffered.

The symptoms of depression usually involve sad or irritable moods, diminished interest or pleasure in activities, sleeping too much or too little, weight loss or gain, slowness or agitation in movement, and fatigue or loss of energy, as well as feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, and a diminished ability to concentrate or make decisions. Depression can also lead to recurring thoughts of death and suicide. Anger, social withdrawal, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness also commonly characterize depression. Depression does not discriminate – having fame and money is not an escape from this disease, and yes, depression is a disease.

In my opinion, depression is a symptom of unresolved inner conflicts, feelings of perplexity, and confusion about the environment and oneself and is also associated with a degree of genetic and biologic causation. Depression is a symptom that should lead loved ones and friends to try to understand what is truly troubling and driving the person they love to such despair. Patience and compassion are the keys!

Robin Williams was a wonderfully, funny actor who brought many a smile to millions of faces. For that, we will remember him!

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Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.