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Someone Says “Depression Is A Choice”, And Andy Richter’s Response Is Brilliant
Earlier this year we lost several beloved figures to suicide such as Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain, and Avicii to name a few, re-starting a worldwide conversation on mental illness. However, despite the far from new dialogue surrounding depression many people still seem woefully uninformed on how it works and how it is treated. One of the most common uneducated ideas about depression is that it is something that can be willed away if you just try hard enough, and thanks to the internet those who have actually struggled with the disease have a platform to dispell this myth.
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Comedian Andy Richter might be known for his hilarious one-liners on Conan O’Brien’s show, but behind the scenes, the entertainer struggles with depression
Image credits: Andy Richter
One Twitter user tweeted out a common misconception about the illness which set off the comic
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And prompted him to share personal details from his battle with depression
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Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Image credits: AndyRichter
Others who have struggled with their mental health applauded his explanation
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And some even added their own explanations
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What do you think ?
Mimi 6 years ago
A mental illness isn't a choice anyone would want to make. But being ignorant, rude and acting like an a*****e is a choice.
Sage Jay 6 years ago
@ Anthony (A*****e) Talak - Yes vegan as a choice, I've made that choice and I can tell you that. But let me ask you this: when did you choose to be straight? Because as a queer person, I sure as hell wouldn't 'choose' getting yelled at, beaten up, or threatened with rape just to be 'special.'
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diane a 6 years ago (edited)
Depression and Anxiety can hit anyone, anywhere, at any time. For multiple reasons, or sometimes no reason at all. A chemical imbalance in the brain, not a "choice". Those who have never experienced the extremes of this illness have no right to judge and give half-assed "advice". Leave it to the Professionals who know what they are talking about.
Max L. 6 years ago
They're part of life. Trying to live like they don't exist, it's simply no sense.
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Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
people who've never experienced depression don't understand it. They confuse it with being sad or being in a bad mood (and there's nothing wrong with that BTW). Thanks to Richter--the last thing a depressed person needs to hear is that it's his/her fault
ispeak catanese 6 years ago
I struggle a lot with the question of choice, telling myself I'm lazy, pathetic, and believing I'm not trying hard enough to deal with it. And, I'm a high-functioning depressive, go figure.
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Mimi 6 years ago
A mental illness isn't a choice anyone would want to make. But being ignorant, rude and acting like an a*****e is a choice.
Sage Jay 6 years ago
@ Anthony (A*****e) Talak - Yes vegan as a choice, I've made that choice and I can tell you that. But let me ask you this: when did you choose to be straight? Because as a queer person, I sure as hell wouldn't 'choose' getting yelled at, beaten up, or threatened with rape just to be 'special.'
Load More Replies... diane a 6 years ago (edited)
Depression and Anxiety can hit anyone, anywhere, at any time. For multiple reasons, or sometimes no reason at all. A chemical imbalance in the brain, not a "choice". Those who have never experienced the extremes of this illness have no right to judge and give half-assed "advice". Leave it to the Professionals who know what they are talking about.
Max L. 6 years ago
They're part of life. Trying to live like they don't exist, it's simply no sense.
Load More Replies... Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
people who've never experienced depression don't understand it. They confuse it with being sad or being in a bad mood (and there's nothing wrong with that BTW). Thanks to Richter--the last thing a depressed person needs to hear is that it's his/her fault
ispeak catanese 6 years ago
I struggle a lot with the question of choice, telling myself I'm lazy, pathetic, and believing I'm not trying hard enough to deal with it. And, I'm a high-functioning depressive, go figure.
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