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Lots of us who struggle with depression and addiction all our lives often look and act the same as everyone else.
Just because we look successful, or smart or caring or ‘together’ on the outside doesn’t mean there isn’t an army of assorted demons flying around on the inside looking for some small crevice to jump out. Even famous people have demons who win sometimes.
So to everyone else who is getting up this morning to fight another day….Well Done
Rest in peace, Robin Williams.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:12 pm
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Comment by ... Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:14 pm
Well said.
Comment by Both Sides Now Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:27 pm
Grace.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:28 pm
“Richard Corey”.
Comment by Weltschmerz Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:33 pm
I’m really struggling with the news about Robin Williams today. Tha man is a legend when it comes to making others laugh and smile yet his inner battle was devistating to him. Rep. Harris is spot on here. If anyone out there is suffering from this horrible disease PLEASE go get help. None of us will think any less of you. In fact, I’ll applaud you for stepping up.
Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:39 pm
I think what Harris is saying can also be interpreted as, “hooray for all of those brave people who battle severe depression and substance abuse who didn’t kill themselves yesterday.”
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:44 pm
Very well said, Rep Harris
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:45 pm
True that…
My hope is much like people in my generation can’t understand Jim Crow kids in kids generation will someday wonder why we treated folks with mental health issues differently than folks with other illnesses.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:51 pm
That was reflective, compassionate, and inspirational.
Comment by Phenomynous Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:52 pm
47th,
I love snark as much as the next guy but your comment is out of bounds. Bad form IMHO.
Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:53 pm
No snark at all BM.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:54 pm
The person right next to you might just be keeping a streak alive. Don’t just let them, help them.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 1:59 pm
It’s horrible when the torment felt becomes so severe that death seems to be the only way to find relief. I lost a student a couple of years ago and I still feel the pain of his decision.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 2:14 pm
Bangarang.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 2:32 pm
One of my favorite sayings is “never compare your insides to someone else’s outsides.” Seems rather apt on Greg’s comment.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 2:44 pm
In support of all those that get up every day living with these and many other “demons”, look up your local NAMI chapter and find a way to support them. If you are in the western burbs of Chicago you can start here: www.nami5k.com
Comment by Living It Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 2:44 pm
Representative Harris’ statement is spot on. I am one of those people who have had recurrent episodes of depression every couple of years. Though I have an MS in human services, it took a peer support group to give me the skills to recognize and episode early enough to make sure I was set up for appointments and meds before I got to the point where doing things was very difficult. Even through the episodes, while I called of sick several days as needed, from the outside I looked like a very happy and capable person.
Still, I’m not a fan of n=1 stories. I’d refer back to our discussion about mental health issues in prisons the other week or discussions in the past when there’s been a school shooting by a young person with an untreated mental illness, and believe we need to fund a mental health system at the level needed to be effective.
Finally, google NAMI and DBSA to connect with peer support. There are a surprising number of groups out there for people.
Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 2:47 pm
Just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my sadness hid
Smiling in the public eye
But in my lonely room cry
the tears of a clown
When there’s no one around
Comment by What is to be done? Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 2:58 pm
Well said Rep. Harris.
And for one of my favorite actors, rest in peace, O’Captain my Captain..
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 3:02 pm
Very well said.
Comment by logic not emotion Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 3:05 pm
Well spoken
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 3:26 pm
Be nice to someone today. Smile or hold the door for them. They might be thinking no one cares and your kind gesture may give them the strength to make it through the day.
Comment by The KQ Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 4:31 pm
I went through a severe clinical depression years ago. And while I had excellent healthcare and friends, no one knew it was as bad as it was. And, even if there had been a magic pill that was available and placed within my reach, I couldn’t have reached out for it. Yet, finally, it took everything I had inside to finally reach out for help…almost before it was too late. Where that strength came from I still do not know but the meds eventually created a level playing field and I am here today, much to my surprise and relief. That darkness is incomprehensible to those who have never experienced it…
Comment by ANON for a moment... Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 4:34 pm
I agree with 47th Ward — that was immediately how I read it. For some people, no matter how much “help” one gets (meds, therapy, hotlines, friends, “just telling someone,” and everything else that’s typically suggested) it doesn’t get better, ever. The value judgment inherent in the “well done” portion of Rep. Harris’s otherwise very compassionate and truthful statement was unneeded.
Comment by Jabes Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 4:38 pm
Governor’s Day at the fair is at 11 30, not 1-3
Comment by anonymous Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 4:53 pm
Let’s not over think the comment it was sincere and heartfelt and that’s all that matters in my opinion
RIP Robin
Comment by E town Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 5:15 pm
You cannot eat, there’s too much to think about.
So sick you can’t sleep, there’s too much to think about.
So sick you hide things that will kill you.
So sick you go to work, afraid to stay alone.
See the doc. Give it three weeks.
Color returns to your life.
The sun comes up.
You will be stronger. A better spouse. A better friend.
A more compassionate person.
Heal yourself. It works.
Comment by The Scream Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 9:37 pm
A note to anybody out there who is wrestling with bipolar disorder, which is probably what Robin Williams had. This is based on research I have done, stimulated by a family member who is a bipolar sufferer with a history of multiple hospitalizations for substance abuse and attempted suicide. Bipolar is sometimes confused for depression, but it does not respond to antidepressants that are effective for unipolar depression. If you or a loved one cycles between mania and depression, make sure you get the right medication, which is lithium or another mood stabilizer, but NOT antidepressant.
Comment by jake Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 10:08 pm