Robin Williams RIP: Coping Mechanism?

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So, I am no Psych. nurse but I always found it interesting. What interests me about some of the people who are most depressed is that they are the ones who always seem to be making others laugh like Robin Williams. Is this some kind of coping mechanism? Of course, I don't know much about the man except what I have seen on TV but I have seen this in people in my personal life too. People that seem to be big cut ups and always joking. I would never have thought depression.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Joining an advocacy group is good. I wish there were one in my area, but the only nearby NAMI chapter folded about a year or so ago. I've thought about starting a group at my church, but with my commitment issues I don't think I'm the right person to do it. I guess I'll just keep up my posting here at AN, where I can come and go as I please and try to help other nurses who are struggling with MH concerns. :yes:

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Specializes in critical care.

It would need to be something that goes viral like the ice bucket challenge did, I think. But instead of simply doing the challenge, it would also need to require a donation - any donation - to a valid and decent organization that supports mental health awareness, education, and intervention. Unfortunately a lot of people are offended by the ice bucket challenge because they either think it's silly or don't like that the money spent on water could have been donated instead. (Not sure what their water rates are. For me it wouldn't even cost a penny, but anyway...) Maybe something like drawing a robin for each person they know who suffers from mental illness. Idk.... My brain is mush at the moment. ? But I do love the idea of starting something and I'll jump on any idea that seems like a good one. Mental illness and addiction have destroyed my family. People need to know their are choices and treatments, and it's not their fault.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

green ribbons are a symbol of mental illness...maybe something with green ribbons too?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I looked it up. Both green and silver are the ribbon colors for mental illness and mental illness awareness.

There are zillions of nurses on allnurses.com. I think we can do something with this.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
It would need to be something that goes viral like the ice bucket challenge did, I think. But instead of simply doing the challenge, it would also need to require a donation - any donation - to a valid and decent organization that supports mental health awareness, education, and intervention. Unfortunately a lot of people are offended by the ice bucket challenge because they either think it's silly or don't like that the money spent on water could have been donated instead. (Not sure what their water rates are. For me it wouldn't even cost a penny, but anyway...) Maybe something like drawing a robin for each person they know who suffers from mental illness. Idk.... My brain is mush at the moment.  But I do love the idea of starting something and I'll jump on any idea that seems like a good one. Mental illness and addiction have destroyed my family. People need to know their are choices and treatments, and it's not their fault.

I won't do anything with buckets of ice water because where I live is undergoing a severe drought, and has been for the last couple of years. One tends to take water for granted until it's in short supply :(

I am up for something than can go viral, though my brain is also mush from lack of sleep from a grumpy toddler. I agree, people need to be aware that mental illness is more than just "it's all in your mind, suck it up and get over it."

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In balance from what? Getting back into balance....No this is not vertigo or low blood sugar or even orthostatic htn....Its as if to say someone who is depressed is unbalanced? No these drugs do not balance any chemicals in the brain...If anything they cause imbalances where there were none before. They also mess with the GABA system. Too many people who experience "depression" for the first time and start on ADs report worsening of depression, sometimes nightmares, and yes it can cause increased energy because it is causing an imbalance not rebalancing...They are inhibiting neurons and synapses and causing multiple other issues such as dizziness, increased appetite, dry mouth, anxiety, low blood pressure, etc. etc.. And no they do not increase serotonin as they market them for everyone to believe....The side effects are numerous..why do you think their energy levels are rebounding here? And if they were to increase serotonin as claimed why do you think it takes 4-8 weeks to reach a steady blood level?? It does not take 6 weeks to increase serotonin. There are foods that do this and exercise. No these drugs are known to "change" brain neurochemistry, not improve it...When you start manipulating brain chemicals and people's thoughts and thinking...Yes you are bound to have problems...and no, patients are not being monitored because their energy levels are increasing, it is because they are more at a risk of suicide having the drug in them and having more "energy" to finally carry it out....to make a detailed plan...What is your definition of a "true" mental disorder? Please explain your rationale...

I will recommend you move your posts elsewhere. Not every thread is meant to be a rapid-fire attack on other people's comments. This thread was about reflecting on the loss of such a loved person...

For the record, for someone with bipolar I disorder, taking meds is not a friendly suggestion, it is an absolute necessity.

Most do not appreciate your stigmas that mental illness is a made up thing...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I won't do anything with buckets of ice water because where I live is undergoing a severe drought, and has been for the last couple of years. One tends to take water for granted until it's in short supply :(

I am up for something than can go viral, though my brain is also mush from lack of sleep from a grumpy toddler. I agree, people need to be aware that mental illness is more than just "it's all in your mind, suck it up and get over it."

Plus choose a charity that has less than 60% spent on overhead.

I refuse to engage in the ice bucket challenge. It's not possible. I don't have faith in the charity chosen with the amount spent on research & support vs. overhead. I don't have the extra $100 to donate right now. Plus there are several other charities that have more meaning to me like the Epilepsy Foundation, Alzheimer's association, NAMI, local warm lines for pre-crisis mode (whether overwhelmed parent or mental illness), the national suicide prevention hotline....

Maybe a simple "take the challenge...get educated and erase the stigma. Not all illnesses & disabilities are visible. Don't let friends, family, colleagues suffer in silence. Wear silver & green to show your support to erase the stigma of mental illness, depression, bipolar and other invisible conditions"

I'm sure the editorial team from Cracked that wrote the insightful article would jump on board.

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Coping skills. Those of us that have mental disorders must learn good coping skills if we want to maintain some kind of "normacy". Those of us that don't often end up homeless, committed, in prision, or dead. Just because we have a mental illness, does not mean that we don't want to fit in. I feel that Robin Williams used comedy and acting to fit into the mainstream. If he were not in the entertainment field, he would have been considered "crazy". Think about it. Would a person like Robin Williams do well in a hospital setting? how about as a car mechanic? a roofer? as a lawyer? I would think that a Robin Williams type person would have a very difficult time holding a job in these professions, even if he could get through the interview process. So I feel that Robin's best coping skill was his choice of profession. We also have to remember that there are good and bad coping skills. Addiction is a coping skill but it is a poor one.

As far as psychotropic medications are concerned, I would dead or in prision without them. Yes, I feel that many are over medicated. However they are a godsend for those of us that need them to live with some kind of normacy.

How can we break the stigma? The first thing that we must do is to come out of the closet. The gay folks did that years ago in spite of the fear and the danger of doing so. Now being gay is considered "mainstream" in most parts of the country. We need to start with our family members. This is a medical problem that should not be hidden. After that, we need to talk to our co-workers and employers. Don't make the illness a reason for a poor performance. We must be responsible for our own behavior within reason. We should not be scared to ask for a reasonable accommadation for a consistant work schedule or other things that will keep us in the job place. Mental illness should not keep us from our dreams. We should be able to live our life to its fullest and be allowed to laugh and to cry.

Fuzzy, a person with bipolar type1

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Coping skills. Those of us that have mental disorders must learn good coping skills if we want to maintain some kind of "normacy". Those of us that don't often end up homeless, committed, in prision, or dead. Just because we have a mental illness, does not mean that we don't want to fit in. I feel that Robin Williams used comedy and acting to fit into the mainstream. If he were not in the entertainment field, he would have been considered "crazy". Think about it. Would a person like Robin Williams do well in a hospital setting? how about as a car mechanic? a roofer? as a lawyer? I would think that a Robin Williams type person would have a very difficult time holding a job in these professions, even if he could get through the interview process. So I feel that Robin's best coping skill was his choice of profession. We also have to remember that there are good and bad coping skills. Addiction is a coping skill but it is a poor one.

As far as psychotropic medications are concerned, I would dead or in prision without them. Yes, I feel that many are over medicated. However they are a godsend for those of us that need them to live with some kind of normacy.

How can we break the stigma? The first thing that we must do is to come out of the closet. The gay folks did that years ago in spite of the fear and the danger of doing so. Now being gay is considered "mainstream" in most parts of the country. We need to start with our family members. This is a medical problem that should not be hidden. After that, we need to talk to our co-workers and employers. Don't make the illness a reason for a poor performance. We must be responsible for our own behavior within reason. We should not be scared to ask for a reasonable accommadation for a consistant work schedule or other things that will keep us in the job place. Mental illness should not keep us from our dreams. We should be able to live our life to its fullest and be allowed to laugh and to cry.

Fuzzy, a person with bipolar type1

Well said. :yes:

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I have to share this site...

Robin Williams Tribute

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Aw, geez......:cry:

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Fuzzy in an ideal world asking for accommodation on the job sounds great in theory but some of us live in places that are still 100yrs behind other parts of the country,and they won't even abide by federal law. So where is my protection? I think it is very brave to do some things that you are suggesting to destigmatize mh issues but it may not be practical.

If you are single w/o any support from a spouse, family etc and live in a community that is not accepting of mh conditions people could be in danger of risking their livlihoods.

Dont ask people to do things that perhaps the risks are too great. The LGBT xommunity is not a good example bc their movement has been organized and relentless in getting legislation to protect them for years. That movement has surpassed other movements that have been longer like the feminist movement or Racial equality movement. The MH movent has had improvements but it by far is not well organized nor has it had any critical backing. It gets heightened when a high profile person takes their life then it disappears.

I came out of the proverbial closet, and lost jobs bc i had managers to use it against me,I was denied accommodation, and had a manger KNOCK on my thrapists"s door to get info regarding my depression.

My request had to do with time off or a reduced work schedule that could be done. I did not work in any critical areas whete it would be a hardship to the job or my peers. I worked in several self paced environments.

My issue eas being late bc of chronic insomnia, and it was a nightmare the responses i would receive.

I had some time mx problems that never inteferred with my ability to be one hell of a nurse, but bc i exposed myself it colored how they saw me.

They made many attempts to get rid of m bc i was a strong pt advocate, and they used my exposing my depression as a reason. When you are struggling with esteem responsrs like thrse can be devastating to say the least.

I was my sole finacial provider bc my family were just poor working people and i never married. Friends were not ok when i was out. I previously posted that I had a huge longterm social support system, mosty nurses who were just awful when i could no longer make them laugh or be their major support system. Things fell apart and it eas a domino effect.

Be caredul in how you direct people to be bold and daring bc there are consequences that maybe greater than the benefit.

I hear you with a genuine desire to say we just have to stand up but it is not that simple when there are so many varibles.

This has got to be thought out and consequences taken into consideration ie, 'what if i lose my job if i ask for accommodations? What if i lose relationships? Can i take harassment or jokes? Am i fragile right now? Will my sxs interfere with something?

This is a calculated risk that people need to think about.

The reality about MH conditions is that in a lot of ways we are living in th dark ages, and it is very compounding to be dealing with your condition, and then to be traumatized again bc you want to be honest and supported.

You feel that you have protection under federal legislation but your compny does not recognize it.

Your perrs now see you diffeently and your poor family feel helpless bc of various reasons.

Although i am stronger now i still see that i made a mistke sharing my struggles and requesting accommodations from the job, and sharing things with close friends.

I am not sorry that i shared it with family even though it has not ben helpful.

I do have a very savvy therapist that we look at things very closely wweigh the risks before I make big decisions.

And coming out was one of the things we weighed out and we both were SHOCKED, and quite disturbed with the consequences bc they were unimaginable.

So my caveat is to be very careful about forging ahead just bc we live in the 21st century. Work with a skilled therapist(and that is no guarantee) and figure out your risk/ benefit ratio.

If it could cause more harm and make you feel unsafe or exacerbate your sxs even more, find another way to get your needs met.

Another thing Robin Wiiiams coping with Humor like so many others wore out bc humor can be used but it eventually wears out bc the problem is not being gealt with, same as addiction or other coping mechnisms. Often the ones that are not causing damage may last a little longer until you have ro switch to something else then so on. I do believe yo have to find a good match who is skilled to go through this journey with you. I think meds in some conditions need to be used very conservatively and constant monitoring for all.

Anyone on meds i think should be in some kind of therapy i think it is negligent on the practitioner prescribing if one is not

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