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I am saddened that we lost an outstanding actor, but most of all I am saddened that his depression (and addictions that went along with it) got him into such a dark place that he didn't see a way out. I am passionate about this because for YEARS I hid my depression and anxiety because of all the stigma that is placed on it. I have been reading horrible remarks, (along with some very sentimental and heartfelt ones as well) about how he took the easy way out and that he is going to hell for it. This angers me on so many levels I don't even have the words to express it. First of all, depression is a illness so if someone dies of cancer does that mean they go to hell? Second of all, depression (that is mental and not environmental) is a chemical imbalance of the brain. It is an insult to hear people say he or anyone deserves to go to hell for being a coward. If you think living with depression is a sign of weakness I beg you to educate yourself. It can take every ounce of bravery one has to even get out of bed sometimes. I have to force myself to go to work and deal with people when all my anxiety wants me to do is stay inside and avoid the world. Do I deserve to go to hell because my brain has an imbalance and sometimes no amount of medicine or even the loving care of others can't "snap me out of it?" It pisses me off when I get told "get over it" can anyone with an illness just get over it?????? Why is depression treated like it is just something that can be easily controlled? When your curled up in a corner and see the world as dark and horrible and you may have an addiction (which a lot of people with depression tend to have as a coping mechanism) you feel the world would be better off without you. I guarantee you Mr. Williams felt like he let others down or he just will never be happy. That is a place ladies and gentlemen that I hope and pray you never get to.
with that said, there is help out there, the biggest problem is we hide our illness, we are embarrassed and think we can deal with it on our own. This is so not true and needs to change. When I finally admitted it to everyone who mattered to me, guess what? They stood by my side,, they didn't abandon me or shun me, they accepted me. There are many treatments out there, I have been on medication and it does help, I now control it through vitamins and a lot of self help. I am learning to reach out and talk to others when I start to have dark feelings because what scares me the most is, I could very easily find myself questioning my existence on earth and if I didn't have the love of my friends and family I don't know what would happen in that moment. I have absolutely no plans on ever committing suicide, but I am also educated enough to know that if you don't reach out and constantly work on your demons they will eat you up alive and that is something I am well aware of and I beg anyone who may not feel like they have anyone, you can ALWAYS contact me.. email me and I will help you. If you need to talk on the phone, I will call you. I mean this from the bottom of my heart. NO one should ever be made to feel embarrassed and be made to feel their illness is a stigma.
with that said, there is help out there, the biggest problem is we hide our illness, we are embarrassed and think we can deal with it on our own. This is so not true and needs to change. When I finally admitted it to everyone who mattered to me, guess what? They stood by my side,, they didn't abandon me or shun me, they accepted me. There are many treatments out there, I have been on medication and it does help, I now control it through vitamins and a lot of self help. I am learning to reach out and talk to others when I start to have dark feelings because what scares me the most is, I could very easily find myself questioning my existence on earth and if I didn't have the love of my friends and family I don't know what would happen in that moment. I have absolutely no plans on ever committing suicide, but I am also educated enough to know that if you don't reach out and constantly work on your demons they will eat you up alive and that is something I am well aware of and I beg anyone who may not feel like they have anyone, you can ALWAYS contact me.. email me and I will help you. If you need to talk on the phone, I will call you. I mean this from the bottom of my heart. NO one should ever be made to feel embarrassed and be made to feel their illness is a stigma.