Robin Williams' Daughter Has a Message for Women Struggling with Depression ...

This may sound a tiny bit harsh but I live by the quote, "If you aren't willing to look for light in the darkest of places without stopping even when it seems impossible you will never succeed." Depression is a long dark tunnel, I get that, but if you're not looking for a silver lining, you'll never go anywhere. I went through depression last year over the passing of my sister. It was a dark miserable tunnel for months but now even though I still miss her, the thought of being able to see her one day, is the light I need to keep going.

Depression is a chemical imbalance that no one chooses to have. It c

***For every man and woman dealing with depression****

Yes it is easy to say. I am so depressed after finding out of my husband's affair. My 30 years of marriage is shattered now by my husband's secret emotional affair. That too for three good years behind my back. Came to know that too by an accident three years back. Still hurts so much not able to get out. So it all depends on the cause. I have forgiven him but not able to forget. Trying my best but it's not that easy. Reading inspiring posts like this is encouraging.

Amazing post I know all too well the struggles with depression and this was really inspiring. Thank You for sharing ☺️

Oh goodness, truth be told I cried when that great man died. 7/30/15 @ 2110.....the most SURREAL moment of my life & quite honestly, I am still in denial of the whole ordeal. My best friend, my teacher, my warden, my creator, my umma passed away. Even now as I type this out, the black hole in my soul is turning in on itself. Reading this from Mr Williams daughter has pricked a hole in the blackness helping me see a little light (which intellectually I know is there). As for suicide...THAT is never an option for me. I've been blessed with a unique soul for a daughter & her mere presence keeps me alive and focused. As for getting reacquainted with what makes me happy.....I can't because I don't know....but I haven't forgotten how to smile or love so at least there's that. One thing........if you keep a light smile in your heart, there will ALWAYS be a light in the dark .

@eponine. Having dealt with depression my whole life and still dealing with it today, it is not easy for people to just "look for the silver lining." If that were the case, there would be no suicides. There is a website out there that says it best! "People commit suicide because the amount of pain they're in, out ways the amount of resources they have to deal with that pain. I'm sorry for the loss of your sister, but for the amount of time you were depressed and in a dark time. Could you imagine feeling that way EVERY single day of your life?! It's not so easy to deal with. However, any help with depression is good help. So though your quote may be a tad bit harsh, at least your encouraging people to look toward the positive and not just "snap out of it."

Depression seems like a powerful thing scary but @jasmine couldn't have put it much better.

It's very easy to say such things but when you are in depression it's a lonely world... It's been 15 years my mom passed away but still I feel so depressed and lonely.. I feel there is no one who can understand what I feel and what I am going through... Every one wants to be part of my happiness but not in my sadness... It's so hard that I can't forget that my mom is no more... I wish there was someone who could me feel better... Just people say time heals the wounds but I would say no it's just makes you you feel worse..

Dealing with depression, whether temporary or long term, tends not to be easy. In fact, when I was deep in my depression, it was the hardest, darkest, most confusing time in my life. I have never met a challenge more greater than trying to move past the overwhelming feeling of sadness. I say whatever helps you to cope, do it. As long as it is not hurting yourself. I tried self-harming years ago and finally realized that it was just a mechanism for coping with my emotions. Once I found other ways of handling such emotions, the overwhelming feeling of wanting to commit suicide slowly diminished. That does not mean that I still don't have those thoughts, it just means that I am able to brush them off, opposed to before. It is typical for people going through a bout of depression to feel alone. The truth is though, we are not. I don't know what it is like to lose a family member (sorry for your lose) or have a cheating husband. But I do know what it is like to be depressed. The struggle is all too real. I think we as humans are looking for people to know EXACTLY what our pain is like and go through the exact same emotions we are. But that doesn't happen. I may not have experienced what you experienced, but I do have the capability to understand what you are going through. Not the exact tragedy, but the emotion you are experiencing as a result. With any tragedy or just anything in life, you have to take one day at a time. This truly may be a temporary thing, but that "temporary" feeling may last a few years before things truly subside. My advice?! Do for you! No one should tell you when you have to "get over" being depressed. Take all the time you need :). Get help when you feel up to it, and get out when you feel like it. If it has been months, force yourself to get out! It is not easy, trust me! I attribute having a mental health disorder such as depression with amnesia. After going through depression so badly, I have to get re-aquatinted with the things that make me happy an find new things that make me happy. Sorry if this is long. Hope this helps :)