<p>Ummm… bipolar leads to suicide MUCH more frequently than financial distress. And don’t forget the Parkinson’s. </p>
<p>No matter how dire his financial situation, there is no way that Robin Williams could have made a rational decision that he was worth more to his family dead than alive.</p>
<p>Well, it sounds as though he had a lot of problems. FYI - I was just noting that #217 did not read to me like divorce bashing, not suggesting suicide was rational or a good idea for anyone. Obviously.</p>
<p>Teriwtt, GP’S mission is to pick a fight in every thread he participates in, evidently with the goal of getting it shut down. He’s already done it once today. </p>
<p>Severe depression is enough to make someone consider suicide.
Speculation about other influences doesn’t really matter, because the depression is more than enough.</p>
<p>I am not bashing Robin Williams or divorce. As a matter of fact I am sympathizing with him. Divorce laws are not always fair to people like Robin who have to pay huge settlements and alimony that can be financially very burdensome.</p>
<p>Exactly, ek. </p>
<p>Maybe you could start your own thread on that topic, then.</p>
<p>Goldenpooch - you are minimizing the impact of bipolar illness and depression on someone’s life by blaming it on his finances and ex-wives. When someone is depressed, if they lose $20M, they don’t care; subsequently, if they win or inherit $20M, they don’t care. People who die by suicide because of financial problems had other issues way before their financial problems - their identity is tied up into their earning power, which is a recipe for disaster. </p>
<p>Again, I will repeat, people who die by suicide just because they have financial problems have something else going on - they just may not be aware of it. Their are tens of millions of people in our country alone who have financial problems, who are not dying by suicide.</p>
<p>
Thanks for reminding me of that, although I am well aware of this pattern. I will not let this thread be derailed by baiting and ■■■■■■■■.</p>
<p>Yep teriwtt, refusing to take the bait is the key. Also, I’ve found the ignore button makes life more pleasant, as well as helping the thread to stay on track. 
This is too nice a thread to get closed.</p>
<p>Unfortunately (although I haven’t been doing much moderating since my cancer surgery), as a moderator, I don’t think I can put people on ignore. :(</p>
<p>Yes, you can put people on ignore! I have! </p>
<p>In more than 90% of suicides mental illness is involved. Robin Williams was a gifted performer, who had a heart of gold, and he should be honored for all he did in his life and remembered and respected for his kindness and generosity towards others. His publicist has denied that there were financial troubles. Tragically he was unable at that point to see other possibilities, which is part of depression/bipolar illness.</p>
<p>People die from mental illness, as they die from other diseases,cancer,heart disease. We need to reduce stigma and offer our support wherever and whenever we can.</p>
<p>I will never forget that I was sitting on the bed in my parents’ B&B room in Knysna, South Africa when I opened my iPad and saw the news. I cried when I went to tell my mom. When you have a family member who struggles with depression, news like this is terrifying. If someone with those resources to get help doesn’t make it, what does that mean for my family member? I think I will always have a pit in the bottom of my stomach, worrying about him.</p>
<p>I heard today that 50% of people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, first present with depression. Something to do with all the dopamine that is being depleted.</p>
<p>Dick Cavet wrote a new piece for Time magazine on Robin, they were friends. What he said, went back many, many years. So sad he was always depressed in some way.
<a href=“Robin Williams Dead: Won't Be the Last Suicidal Star Says Dick Cavett | Time”>http://time.com/3106170/robin-williams-dead-dick-cavett-suicide-depression/</a></p>
<p>One small part from it:
You yourself may have thought, “How could he do this to his wife and kids?” Easy. Because what’s been called the worst agony devised for man doesn’t allow you to feel any emotion for kids, spouses, lovers, parents … even your beloved dog. And least of all for yourself.</p>
<p>I know Robin knew this. His death recalled a moment with him years ago in a small club. He came off stage after bringing a cheering audience to its feet. “Isn’t it funny how I can bring great happiness to all these people,” he said. “But not to myself.”</p>
<p>teriwtt–that is quite interesting, I imagine that for someone who has struggled with depression, Parkinsons may have wreaked more havoc on his system than he could manage. </p>
<p>MaineLonghorn–yes, it is very scary, for those who struggle with depression and for their family members. my heart goes out to you to have to carry that burden of worry. </p>
<p>good article from NYT
Depression may be a deadly illness, but we can help people back to life.
<a href=“Opinion | Depression Can Be Treated, but It Takes Competence - The New York Times”>The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos;
<p>I never said that the huge burden of making enormous alimony payments was the reason why he committed suicide. I am only suggesting that it may have been one contributing factor of many. I was quoting his own words where he said, "it’s ripping your heart out through your wallet.” Apparently, the financial toll was forcing him to accept jobs that he disliked, and he felt was deleterious to his health. I don’t know why other posters are so outraged I raised this topic. I bet Robin would have probably wanted it discussed since it seems to have caused him a lot of grief.</p>
<p>Cavett writes:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I saw that Robin Williams/Dick Cavett improvised Shakespeare play when it was first broadcast. It’s one of the funniest things I ever saw, an astounding tour de force. For the last few days, I’ve been looking around without success to see if it’s available online.</p>