Depression and addiction: The price some celebrities pay for fame

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Recent news of the death of comedy star Robin Williams is another reminder that smiling faces may hide behind the serious illness that is depression, and sufferers need comprehensive evaluation and treatment to alleviate the agony of a life lived in darkness.

The causes of depression are a subject continuing medical of research. However, we know that this silent illness occurs because of a chemical imbalance in the brain, specifically, neurotransmitter imbalance, especially Serotonin deficiency. This imbalance can affect any one in life, so celebrities or famous and creative people are not immune.

In the United States alone, 400000 people commit suicide every year. The World Health Organization also maintains that depression related suicide cases stand at about one million per year worldwide.

See also: Robin Williams’ death sheds light on Hollywood blues

Robin William was not the only celebrity who suffered from depression. Many Hollywood actors, singers and stars from other parts of the world suffered too.

American actor Billy Joel suffered from depression, star Jon Hamm talked about his depression, while Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta Jones spoke about her Bipolar disorder. American actors Owen Wilson and Richard Pryor, and stand-up comedian Richard Jeni, all attempted suicide. Batman star Heath Ledger dies of an accidental overdose at age 28 while American football stars Andre Waters and Dave Duerson both committed suicide.

What is Depression?

For a medical diagnosis of MDD (Major Depressive Disorder), a person must have two weeks of pervasive changes in mood either depressed or irritable and/or loss of interest and pleasure. In addition, the person must have other clinical characteristics, including significant change in patterns of appetite, weight changes, sleep, activity, concentration, energy level, self-esteem, and motivation.

Symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning and produce impairment in relationships or in performance of activities. Furthermore, symptoms must not be attributable only to substance abuse, use of medications, other psychiatric illness, bereavement, or medical illness.

The causes of depression are many, and include genetic factors as well as lifestyle and life events. Hereditary factors, such as a family history of depression among first-degree relatives, correlate highly with having low resilience to depression.

Substance abuse is linked to depression though it is debatable whether people resort to alcohol and drugs to feel better when depressed or that substance abuse causes changes in the brain which can lead to depression. In general, one third of people who are depressed also have substance abuse issues. Studies show women develop mood disorder first and then substance abuse later, while men tend to resort to substance abuse first and then develop depression.

Other contributory factors to depression include physical and/or sexual abuse, stressful life events, e.g., divorce and death of close relatives and friends, and a change of status in life, including loss of job, money, fame, authority, position and the development of health condition.

When it comes to celebrities, depression can be a risk factor for someone who enjoyed a life in the limelight and being admired by people. Any decrease in that status could affect celebrities more in comparison to people who never had that feeling and experience.

Moving from a structured, meaningful life to an unstructured and less busy life is also a cause for depression. Retirement or a decreasing demand for a celebrity makes them vulnerable to mental health issues.

Celebrities have the same risk of depression as the general population but enjoying fame and appreciation during the peak of their careers makes them additionally vulnerable. As growing old might make them feel additionally less appreciated and prone to change of status in terms of fame, money this may increase the risk of becoming victims of depression unless their energy is channeled in a positive direction which keeps them busy. Celebrities who usually engage themselves in some form of charitable activities, giving back to the society, may find this a protective factor against feeling lonely can fill the vacuum of their unstructured time.
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Dubai: Barely a month before classes start this September, the parents of a four-year-old boy who was expelled from a preparatory summer class in July reportedly due to hyperactivity are still facing a dilemma regarding their only son’s future.

Rommel Liwanag, 47, brought his son Miggy (not his real name) to Dubai three months ago so they could live together as a family. Miggy was admitted in a preparatory summer class in a school in Al Ghusais in July. But two days after classes began, he was expelled due to ‘behavioural incapacities.’

“If he does not get accepted in any school here, I’ll be forced to resign from my job and come home so he can go to school in the Philippines,” Liwanag, a hotelier, told Gulf News. Liwanag said that he had already contacted several schools, including Al Noor Training Centre, to check whether they could accommodate his son properly.

“This is demoralising for the parent and for the child. And the parent will try to find some place else who can entertain their child. So they go over there and the cycle repeats, unfortunately,” Dr. Muhammad Tahir, a general / child and adolescent psychiatrist, told Gulf News.

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Dr. Tahir advised that parents should seek medical help right away should they notice something ‘odd’ with their child’s behaviour.

“Just ignoring [your child’s condition] is not gonna work. In this kind of situation, I suggest to the parent they should seek psychiatric help, have the full evaluation done and then psychiatrists can communicate with the school,” Dr. Tahir said.

A simple Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), where a chemical imbalance in the brain causes a child to lack focus, be super active, and become difficult to control, is actually treatable with medication and behavioural modification according to Dr. Tahir. Hence, there is hope for parents with hyperactive children.

Dr. Tahir emphasised on the importance of having trained psychologists in schools to do proper screening for children, Formulating clear admission policies regarding children with special needs is of utmost importance as any wrong move could have severe consequences to the child.

In July, Miggy was kicked out of the summer programme two days after it opened as he reportedly could not behave himself and just kept roaming around the classroom.

“It’s much better to not to admit the child beforehand, rather than making a panic call to the parents one or two days later because that can be demoralising for the parents, for the child and for the family,” Dr. Tahir said.

Repeatedly getting rejected may cause the child to harbour negative feelings toward himself or to other people.

“That can develop into a negative interaction. The child learns the environment around him is hostile, it’s not helpful to him. And he assumes everything is hostile,” Dr Tahir said.