Special Post: Robin Williams

With the recent death of Robin Williams, I felt that it was only right that we take today to discuss the cause of his rather sudden and unfortunate death.

Depression.

What is depression?

Webster’s Dictionary defines Depression as:

a) an act of depressing or a state of being depressed; pressing down : lowering.

Let’s stop here. I find this so fitting. The depression we are talking about is a mental disease, however, the definition of physical depression is so similar to the physiological! When you are depressed mentally, you feel as though everything is weighing you down. Your self-esteem, your mental capabilities and concentration, and even your productivity are all lowered because you feel as though there is too much weighing on you.

b) a state of feeling sad : dejection (2) : a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.

This part of the definition talks about what we are focusing on; the mental disease that plagues so many unwilling victims. People with depression often feel feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness.

c) a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force; a lowering of vitality or functional activity.

What happens when a piece of metal is “depressed”? It cannot move around very much, it does not work as well, and is most definitely not as functional. What happens whenapersonis depressed? The same thing.

What causes it?

What causes depression? There are tons of different theories about what the main cause is. Sometimes it’s nothing more than a chemical imbalance. Below is a diagram from the Center for Applied Research in Mental Heath and Addiction.

What helps? What Doesn’t?

Psychcentral.com has an awesome article on nine ways to take care of yourself when you have depression.

The nine steps include:

1. Attend therapy.

2. Take your medicine as prescribed.

3. Get enough sleep.

4. Exercise.

5. Eat healthy.

6. Learn what your triggers are.

7. Avoid toxic people.

8. Be social.

9. Create a healthy space.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

If you are depressed and/or considering suicide, please pick up a phone and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Remember, you are not alone. you are special. and you are loved.

Author’s Note: We are praying for the family of Robin Williams as they go through this difficult loss. Robin, Thank-you for all the smiles, laughs and encouragement; you will be missed.