No Selfish Cowards Here...

Excuse me while I rant. There is something that I feel strongly about and if I don't get it out of my system, my head might explode. 

Victims of suicide are not selfish cowards!

Ever since the death of Robin Williams, trolls on various websites, who clearly have no idea what they're talking about, are assuming that people who either attempt or commit suicide are selfish and/or cowards. People will post phrases such as “to do that to your family is just selfish”, or “to commit suicide when you’ve got so much going for you is pure selfishness”, or variations thereof. Nothing can be further from the truth. If you have never suffered from depression, you don't know anything about what effects this disease has on the mind and body.

Depression is not just a moment of sadness. I saw other posts saying statements like: "everyone feels sad, just go out and say 'hello' to other people and you'll feel better." These are people who have their heads up their rear ends. Depression is more than just "feeling sad" or being in a "bit of a funk".  Depression -- also known as clinical depression, major depressive illness, major affective disorder and unipolar mood disorder -- goes beyond the temporary feeling of sadness everyone experiences at some point. It’s a serious emotional and biological disease that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, behavior and even physical health. It lasts a lifetime, with periods of wellness alternating with recurrences. Long-term treatment is required to keep symptoms from returning.

Federal statistics show eight percent of Americans over age 12 – close to 25 million of us – grapple with depression, with women more prone to it than men, and those between 40 and 59 suffering at the highest rates. Of those 25 million, perhaps only half are actually getting treatment. Untreated depression is the leading cause of the estimated 30,000 annual suicides in this country. Even those who receive treatment (i.e., Robin Williams) can still be suffering so much that they see suicide as their only alternative to rid themselves of the anguish that comes with depression.

Here are some facts:

• 25 million people in America have depression
• Depression does not discriminate, it's not just women and old people who suffer
• 30,000 suicides occur annually due to depression
• Many depressives self medicate by using drugs or alcohol
• Anti-depressants are usually helpful for controlling the depression but not always
• Depression makes it impossible to 'think normally'; insisting on logical thinking from someone in the grips of a mental illness is like insisting that someone with a broken leg walk normally

This morning, former congressman Patrick Kennedy made the following statement: "Robin Williams didn't commit suicide, depression killed Robin Williams", which is a great way to think about depression.

We have to stop stigmatizing mental illness. We don't blame cancer patients for having cancer, why do we blame depressives for having depression?? I know what I'm talking about because I have both diseases and of the two, I'd rather battle cancer! I have been in that dark place in which suicide seems like the only logical option in order to get rid of the pain associated with depression. When a depressive stands on the edge of the precipice, contemplating jumping off, they have tried everything to feel better (therapy, medication, reaching out to friends, ignoring the pain, alcohol, drugs, etc.), but nothing works. So stop making assumptions about something you know nothing about and have never experienced. Until you can walk a mile in a depressive's shoes, stop blaming the victim!

Here's an eloquent song about battling depression by Gotye - "Save Me" (lyrics):