Citation

Tohid H. Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy 2016; 38(3): 178-182.

Affiliation

Center for Mind & Brain, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), CA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Associação de Psiquiatria do Rio Grande do Sul)

DOI

10.1590/2237-6089-2015-0064

PMID

27737312

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:: The world renowned comedian and four-time Oscar nominated actor Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014. The final autopsy report, released in November 2014, affirmed that Williams had committed suicide as initially described; neither alcohol nor illegal drugs were involved, while any prescription drugs present in Williams' body were at "therapeutic" levels. The report also included that Williams had been suffering from a recent increase in paranoia.

An examination of his brain tissue found Lewy bodies indicating "diffuse Lewy body dementia" which manifests with Parkinsonism symptoms. Williams' doctors believe that Lewy body dementia "was the critical factor" that led to his suicide.

Williams' wife Susan stated that in the period before his death, he was sober, but that he had been diagnosed with early stage Parkinson's disease, which was something he was "not yet ready to share publicly."

From the outset, the news indicated that his death was believed to be a suicide and this was later confirmed to be true by the autopsy reports. Williams had been suffering from severe depression, which is believed to be the leading contributor to his suicide. In this case study, I will highlight the event of the actor's suicide and the main risk factors along with depression leading to his tragic death. As of the end of 2015, no other case study seemed to have addressed or explored the links between the cause (or causes) and events leading to Robin Williams' suicide.

CASE DESCRIPTION:: Robin Williams was suffering from relationship problems, financial problems, drug addiction, and major depression. All of these factors led to his suicide.

COMMENTS:: The chances of committing suicide drastically increase in the presence of any of the key risk factors. Unfortunately, the actor Robin Williams was dealing with four of the major risk factors all together, which put him at a high risk of committing suicide and eventually led to his tragic death...

Language: en