Robin Williams and Why Funny People Kill Themselves

a reply to: Krazysh0t

A psychologist was talking about stand-ups recently and spoke about a study that indicated they tend to be as high as they are low. Maybe that's not too surprising, but he went to say the study shows them to be quite unique as the general population would score higher in one category and low in the other.

It means that we can't define comedians as all being depressives without also defining them as manics too.

I'd love to read the paper because I've been a long-time listener to the ComComPod and they don't all come over as one or the other. Some are and speak openly about it.

With Robin Williams, it's tough to think he nearly made it to the end. All that way to 63 and it finally got him...it sucks. The thing with depression is that it doesn't really get star-struck and has a high fatality rate for any poor SoB who feels its touch. Another lesser known statistic (an old study) is 100% of jumpers who survived the attempt changed their minds on the way down. It's highly possible that the same change of heart would happen to those who succeeded when it's too late to turn back. That thought alone disturbs me on levels I can't begin to express.

@Skunkape - spot on mate.

The really great comedians are teachers as well as comics. The HAVE to have their finger on the pulse or they don't last. Imagine the pressure of bringing sanity to an insane world for the people. What a frickin burden. And after YEARS, 40 for Robin, have you achieved anything in your own mind? I could post him at the Met in 86 about guns. Almost 30 years later and it's still apt. Maybe he didn't see it that way.

a reply to: Krazysh0t
I appreciated the article and your thoughts on what was stated...but
The problem I see is - we want to categorize everyone & thing.
Depression - Bi-Polar - Abused - Trauma - Addictive Personality - Divorce/s - Going Broke/Bankrupt - Heart Surgery...
These are all general issues that do not drive everyone affected by them, to utter despair.
And, in the end, it is/was still a very personal/private matter.

Regardless of what or who is right - I remain heartbroken.

I tend to think that the emotional pendulum may be exaggerated or magnified in the minds & personalities of artists, comedians, writers, actors - the creative lot...and Success in those fields can open the door to even greater extremes.
If you consider "How High" he swung/jumped/reached - imagine the depth/s he must have touched, as well.

originally posted by: intrepid
The really great comedians are teachers as well as comics. The HAVE to have their finger on the pulse or they don't last. Imagine the pressure of bringing sanity to an insane world for the people. What a frickin burden. And after YEARS, 40 for Robin, have you achieved anything in your own mind? I could post him at the Met in 86 about guns. Almost 30 years later and it's still apt. Maybe he didn't see it that way.

That is a very good musing indeed... and yes, very apt still.

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: randyvs

Just preempting a discussion. Don't worry. I didn't mean anything with the implications. The reason I said that is a holdover from the thread that I originally posted that article in since it had severe religious overtones and made me a bit upset. As they told me in the Army when yelling at the whole unit, "You know if this comment is directed at you."

Yeah, guess I could see that.

a reply to: intrepid

Agreed. I remember watching his HBO special back in 2002 and just started laughing thinking about some of the jokes he said. Watching him "eat out" his arm with all that hair was just TOO funny.

I have a brother who is always hilariously funny.

The very few times he has stopped the act while with me, he suddenly became one of the saddest men I have ever known. He is a deeply wounded soul and to make it worse, the humor is a way of distracting himself and others from his truth.
So no closure, no healing, ever happens.

We've been through the same really screwed up childhood, and while I have been seeing shrinks, confronting parents, getting it out and healing all this time, it always amazes me when he opens up and I see he hasn't made any headway at all.

I would say "approximately all of them" is a really bold statement, but a large part could be very true, and the theory is very plausible about them.

It could well be in the case of Robin Williams that the alcohol abuse caused some long term damage to the brain which played also a part in his suicide.

My theory about depression in general is the lack of connection with your true inner-feeling, need to confront to your fears first before you can get to them (and that`s the difficult part for most).

I Just want to say thank you for posting that article. David Wong just described my life almost to a "T"! Wow...I'm speechless. reply to: Krazysh0t

It seems there might be also a bit more normal reason behind it :

Robin Williams Had ‘Serious Money Troubles’ In Months Before His Death, Claims Friend — Was The Pressure Too Much?

Robin Williams‘ tragic death at age 63 came as a shock to the world who knew him only as a lovable comic figure. But a source close to the Mrs. Doubtfire star tells RadarOnline.com that in addition to his addiction struggle, the actor recently confided to a family friend that he had “serious money troubles,” and was worried about his family’s financial security.

radaronline.com... -much/

a reply to: Krazysh0t

So I go away to a metal festival, and by the time I get back, Peter Pan, Popeye, Mrs Doubtfire, Patch Adams AND Mork are all dead?

Crap. Crap sandwiches, with crap crisps, and washed down with a smoothie made of crap.

However he went out, whatever lead him to that scenario, he will be missed by more than his close family. He will also be missed by several generations of movie and comedy fans.

The link between funny people, and depression has been well documented. I believe it was Tony Hancock from ancient British television fame, who first made the link obvious to the public. I have always thought it was a great shame, that those who have the greatest talent for making others laugh, that have the least reason to themselves, or at least, feel the least reason to laugh.

The short answer to the OP is this, the depressed have a habit of hiding their pain behind laughter.

Do some reading on comedians. They are intensely unhappy people.

Edit to add, highly talented people tend to be mentally ill in some way.

I believe that you're also less likely to get help if you're funny. I deal with serious clinical depression. I was misdiagnosed and undiagnosed for years because I use humor as my crutch. Joking about it is my way to get through the next 5 minutes, then the next 5, and so on. It took 10 years to be taken seriously because the attitude was "hey, you still have the ability to laugh, you just need more exercise/vitamins/sleep, etc.". I had no clue what was going on with me. I'm doing well now with proper medication, but it still shakes me up.

Apparently answering the question "do you have a plan (for suicide)" with "I'm told I have an IQ of 140+, of course I have a plan, I have several figured out. Bonus points if I can incorporate a viking funeral" means I'm OK. Nope, I'm trying not to break.

It's hard to understand how overwhelming the compulsion can be unless you've lain awake nights wondering which bullet trajectory will cause the least amount of clean up & be completely effective at the same time.

a reply to: Mountainmeg

Oh Shazbutt!!....thats your problem, you are using humour as your crutch....dont you know your crutch is made for something else?....Nanoo Nanoo......

This thread is so depressing, I think I want to go and kill a depressed person.....Not myself of course....pfft, who would be that stupid!!! ...

Everyone gets depressed!! EveryOne!! over the age of 18 at least...It's just how you handle being depressed.

The Bad school results, the girl rejection, not being picked for the team, being yelled at, being teased, not getting that job, your wife/boss/siblings/family/gf driving you up the wall....etc etc etc.....just everyday life.
Use to be called Stressed out, now everyone is Depressed.

Get over it, think of how much better off you are that some people.

Imagine those 10 million poor black fellas in US prisons!!! or sleeping in a cardboard box in the rain!!!.

or the 6 billion other people on Earth, who have it a lot worse than you.

Depression is a "First WOrld" disease created by the Medical system and big Pharma to make more money out of stupid people who have'nt got the guts to face up to their problems......If you have a problem, change the situation and fix it....and not with guns like some idiots do.
Use your human brain and think..........or just kill yourself and give all your money to me......Hey I wonder how much RW left.....Shazbutt!.. Millyuns and Milllyuns......what a windfall for someone....

a reply to: Kandinsky

I agree very much.

I experienced the sudden change in mind after surviving few of suicidal attempts.
Honestly, I'm not sure if i can call them suicide attempts but I was so frustrated beyond the limit and "zombie walked" the streets with no awareness of the surrounding to the point where it almost got me struck by vehicles running down the street, few times.

But even after those experience.... I have not learned enough yet... Between 2011-2012, I was about to return to same condition too (after I got rejected by a girl).... good thing I came here.... and honestly, I feel lucky to came here and grateful to every1 in P&M forums.

peace

a reply to: Krazysh0t
An article from Rehab International sheds some light on the untimely deaths of comedians. The Clowns Prayer.

11 Saddest Comedian Deaths of All-Time

From the end of article

The life of a comic can be best summed up by the poem that was carried by Chris Farley at all times. It read: 

As I stumble through this life, 
help me to create more laughter than tears, 
dispense more cheer than gloom, 
spread more cheer than despair.  

Never let me become so indifferent, 
that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child, 
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged. 

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people, 
make them happy, and forget momentarily, 
all the unpleasantness in their lives.  

And in my final moment, 
may I hear You whisper: 
“When you made My people smile, 
you made Me smile.”

Unfortunately Robin Williams will be added to this list.

One thought as I went through this list is, the sadness that comedians must feel from seeing their loved friends and fellow comics die like this. Their might be a bit of survivors guilt associated with their depression. Comics are a rare breed and they truly understand each other.

He will be missed, I feel for his family as they deal with this tragedy.

a reply to: gort51

Your post displays a stunning level of ignorance about mental illness. You aren't funny. You are childish

a reply to: Observationalist

Great article. That was heart wrenching.

a reply to: gort51

You've clearly never talked to someone suffering from depression.

That really was an incredible article.