Does Robin Williams deserve our sympathy ? (31)

Mj you make a valid point. I myself hadnt a great childhood and I lost my home in the 80s. The Banks came in like Savages when I lost my good job. I was alot younger and found it terrifying... Yep, I was anxious too, depressed probably but had to take cleaning jobs... [no self pity here ] but I didn't go on Joe Duffy Show and whinge like alot of the people in this Recession. I found out who my real friends were too. I know Ballymun well and I know what you are saying. I think Robin Williams suffered Bipolar as he was very manic at times... he was like alot of comedians and funny people... he needed approval desparately and he did suffer a Chemical Clinical Depression, almost constant for many years. His thinking wasnot logical when he hanged himself. I dont think he needs me to make excuses for him but I am just trying to have real, genuine mental Distress and Depression understood for being the awful debililitating illness that it is. Good Blog

yes a lot of stigma and bad stigma associated with depression here in Ireland ,

a lot of lonely people farmers bachelors ,even myself living alone once these dark early nights set in its not good for a lot of people ,drinking at home tablets and loneliness are a very bad combination,

just watching Robin Williams here in an episode of LAW & ORDER ,Special Victims Unit,,, brilliant actor

Yes, I agree about the Countryside, there is alot of loneliness, and geographical isolation. There are outreach facilities now in alot of the country towns for people living on their own. Its about time ! they come and collect and have Social nights. Its the younger people too that are lonely. Citylife can be lonely too !! I hate the nights getting shorter. Its ok if you are part of a large loving family, or have kids but it can be lonely. Not everyone has the ability to socialise and get out and do things... the platitudes and advise of 'Go and join a class' and join clubs is difficult for alot of very shy people. Especially batchelor farmers or women who have looked after an elderly parent, who maybe have lost their confidence and have no social skills and are socially awkward

I agree to a certain point GG, but I think social skills can be learned and people have to make an effort themselves.

I didn't know anyone when I came over 9 years ago, people have been very good to me in the start with taking me on social outings etc. But at some stage it was up to me to make the effort and reach out to people. I have made some very good friends since living in Ireland.

It was a lot easier when I was 30 and landed in a big group of Macra, it was more difficult when I moved to KK and had to start building up a new circle to socialise with. (Still keep in contact with my friends, but not everyone of them goes out every weekend).

Sometimes you just have to get over your shyness and make the first step, I know that is not easy, but if you want to improve your social life and the quality of your life in general, people have to just work on themselves.

KNenagh I wasnt talking about myself here [I am not shy in Groups ] but I do know that alot of country people say in their 60s are very shy by nature, and socially awkward. There was a good programme on TV recently about a Group in Donegal who collects these socially awkward and isolated people and brings them to a group twice a week.
I think there are alot of middle aged people who maynot work and who are shy, I think its a viscious circle for some because the more isolated and depressed the person becomes, the more the confidence goes down and the sense of isolation worsens and the self esteem goes down.
It is defintely harder to make friends after 60 though.