Disclaimer: This story contains profane language and discussions of mental illness and suicidality.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States and can impair people’s ability to do everything from enjoy life to function normally. The National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI) estimates that in 2016 alone, 16.2 million adults in the US had a depressive episode and 64% were severely impaired by their symptoms.
Depression is no joke, so the smackdown against a Twitter user who claimed the disease was a choice was all the more poignant coming from comedian Andy Richter.
Despite the original tweet being five days old, Richter couldn’t resist setting the record straight. It all started on November 12 of last year:
Richter had some strong words for user @_asiastabler:
The exchange didn’t stop there. Richter, best known for his sidekick role on the Conan O’Brien show, has been open about his battle with depression in the past. He traces his earliest memories of depression back to his childhood, when he would sit and listen to Simon & Garfunkel’s melancholy “Bridge Over Troubled Water” on repeat on his record player.
In an interview on the podcast Hilarious World of Depression, Richter recounted his parents’ divorce at age 4, his mother’s second failed marriage when he was in junior high, and just generally growing up in an unhappy environment. So when he saw such an insensitive comment, he felt the need to respond at length in order to support fellow sufferers.
Richter eventually found some relief in his college years after finding a therapist. In the early days of his career, he answered an ad in the paper in Chicago seeking volunteers for an anxiety drug study and enrolled. He now combines the proper medication with therapy to manage his symptoms.
His Tweets received thousands of immediate responses and he was clear in insisting that he was not asking for pity, nor did he blame himself for his condition.
And his words for people who deny the fact that depression is a disease were pointed.
Richter’s replies show a man who refuses to be silenced by others’ discomfort. In fact, he notes that people who don’t have to suffer from depression should count themselves lucky and tells them to stop suggesting quick fixes for a disease they know nothing about.
His words touched many, who responded with thanks and support, which he gratefully acknowledged.
And, ever the comedian, he stopped to make fun of himself, since he had earlier overestimated the amount of time he had been married in one of his Tweets.
Of course, not everyone found Richter’s Tweet storm productive and he got criticized for making an example out of the original poster who, at the time, only had a few hundred followers.
But Richter explained that it was precisely people and moments like this that couldn’t go unchecked and the responses he received proved that people needed to hear what he had to say.
He did acknowledge that his initial Tweet was a bit harsh, but also noted that that’s precisely what made it effective.
And the support he received from fellow Twitter users proved just that. In fact, hundreds replied that Richter’s statements had helped them cope and thanked him for standing up for fellow depression sufferers.
Even 80s pop icon Richard Marx chimed in, revealing his own struggles and wishing Richter the best.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only time someone needed to be called out and corrected about the nature of depression. Just weeks earlier, MMA fighter Andrew Tate (whose account is suspended at the moment) Tweeted out a string of statements that offended thousands, including:
Depression isn’t real. You feel sad, you move on. You will always be depressed if your life is depressing. Change it. Thread.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) September 7, 2017
It is a circumstance which they must change. Most “depressed” people are unhappy with their lives, too lazy to change it. That simple.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) September 7, 2017
People will do anything to absolve responsibilities. ITS NOT MY FAULT IM POOR/SAD/FAT/STUPID. Yes it is.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) September 7, 2017
His rant hurt many of his followers, but none other than J.K. Rowling came to the rescue, throwing shade at Tate and propping up saddened readers.
It’s clear that clinical depression is not a choice. While so many remain undereducated about the nature of the disease, it’s heartening to see people with a platform and millions of followers set the record straight and bravely talk about their own battles so that sufferers feel less alone.
For those who struggle with depression, the American Psychiatric Association has some educational articles and links to help find a doctor in your area to help treat symptoms here. And the Mayo Clinic website is one of many housing resources for people who want to understand and help their loved ones cope.
If you or someone you know needs help managing their mental illness, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides resources and reporting information to help get through the toughest times.
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