The recent death of Robin Williams was devastating to millions of devoted fans across the world. While it was a shock to many, it was not to all. Some of those who were close to him knew that he had battled depression on and off for years and had also dealt with drug abuse and other issues.
Why would someone so loved by the public commit suicide? He was very successful, wealthy, and had a family that loved and cared for him. There must have been something in his life that made him extremely unhappy in order for him to take such drastic measures to end his life.
Could it be that the cause of Williams’ depression and suicide was that he was living a life as a character and not necessarily being himself? Could it be that his entire career was based on a personality that was not his own, and it left him unfulfilled and empty inside?
I think there is a possibility that this tragedy has something to do with this.
Reflecting on my own experiences with isolation has lead me to my own conclusion about why Williams committed suicide. Why do I think he did it? Read the blog post I wrote today to find out my theory.
View my blog post on HB.org, “Why Robin Williams Killed Himself: The Importance of Being Yourself”
Image credit: Flickr / Eve Rinaldi