Did anyone catch headlines this week after Robin Williams widow, Susan Williams, was featured in a very emotional interview on ABC? When we first learned of Robin Williams death nearly one year ago, the news struck fans around globe – it was a sad moment for the world – losing such an incredible spirit and talented actor. But things became even more confusing when we learned that he died of suicide. How could a person who was seemingly so happy, fun loving and full of comedy on the big screen be suffering from such drastic emotions to take his own life? It was confusing for his millions of fans, but imagine what his close friends and family were struggling with.
In this week’s interview, Susan Williams revealed that “she’s spent the last year trying to get to the bottom of what led him to take his own life. Contrary to what most people think, it wasn’t depression, nor was it a re-emergence of his longtime struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.” She said, they “were living a nightmare” in the months leading up to his death.” (via CNN)
Over the course of the last year, Susan’s efforts to find out what was happening with the love of her life helped her find answers and ultimately, a bit of peace. As it turns out, Robin Williams’ autopsy revealed “chemical warfare” happening in his brain – he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. According to CNN, “Though not nearly as well known (or talked about) as Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for more than half of dementia diagnoses in the United States, Lewy body dementia, or LBD, is the second most common type of progressive dementia. LBD is caused when normal proteins in the brain begin to aggregate, forming clumps called Lewy bodies that, as they spread, “muck up the ability for the brain to transmit signals.”
Causing symptoms that are similar to Alzheimer’s, things like “confusion, reduced attention span, and memory loss” occur in addition to “a patient’s movements, as well as their mood.” (via CNN)
After a significant amount of time with varied frustrating symptoms from sleeplessness to gut pain and even a tremor in one of his hands, Robin Williams had been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s. And, from Susan’s perspective, that began to help provide some answers – but not all. In her first interview since his death, Susan paints a picture of what they were going through as a couple and as individuals as they tried to navigate an “endless parade of symptoms.” Our hearts go out to Susan and the entire Williams family and circle of friends – he was a celebrated and talented man – who many of us will never forget. CNN captured the full story here, and to see the interview, click below.
