Hi gang,

I was just watching the Discovery Health Channel. They had a program on their series Medical Secrets on Judy Garland. The whole time I was watching it I kept thinking of Freddie. On this show, doctors and other medical people looked at Judy's life and addictions and tried to make some sense out of what happened to her. A lot of what she went through reminded me of some of things people have shared about what Freddie was going through. It made me think about how it would be good if this show would do the same thing for Freddie that they did for Judy. I have always had my own theories about Freddie, one being that he lived in a time that didn't understand mental illnesses as well as we do now. His addictions and depressions were telling of problems that went undiagnosed. I know he went to drs about his problems, but I don't think that the medical community knew enough about mental illnesses back then to be of much help. I went to discovery.com but I didn't find anyplace to make suggestions for shows. Wouldn't it be something if professionals today could look at his life and give us more insight. I know there are some people who would just prefer letting him rest in peace, and I sure don't want to disturb his memory, I guess I am just the kind of personality who always wants to know more. I suppose I am still looking for some sort of closure after all these years. There are still too many unanswered questions... and I know there will always be some that no one will be able to answer fully...

What do you all think? Do you think it would be helpful to find out more or should we just let it all go....

Well, I'll try to answer you Ms Marie.
A show like that may help to make things a lil easier. It would show people that Freddie was not just "the guy that shot himself". He was a real person who had many problems and demons he was dealing with. Knowing the facts would set the record straight that what happened was something that, in a sense, had to happen or was bound to happen one day. It's true, times were very different and since then science has made great strides, not to mention all the programs available now, but we've still got a ways to go. As for letting him rest... well, that's something that hasn't happened in a while, besides he said himself he wanted to be like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe and even now people remember them and do shows and books and such about them. No, I think Freddie would appreciate people looking at his life and learning from his mistakes. He was a huge talent, a great entertainer, but I think he is also a great teacher. His life teaches the ups and downs of superstardom. The good and the bad of being so popular and yet being almost untouchable. He shows how pressure to fit in and yet stand out can be difficult to handle and I really believe that he would like to think that his life helped others avoid the same pitfalls he fell into. That's my two cents.:) :o

I agree with both of you

I for one would like to know. In the world we live in I see so much mental anguish. People here and there.

Stress is at an all time high. Back then Freddie was at stress's high point.

There are times when Lucky has mentioned that Freddie might've been bi-polar. I agree with her. I just really want a professional to evaluate Freddie and tell us the truth. Was he bi-polar? If he was than at least we would know.

Too bad he died before modern medicine found out more about his ailment. He would've been helped if only he could've stayed with us more time.

Or maybe not....... I don't know. I remember a friend of mine. Her brother took his own life. The family still doesn't know why.

If I could play devil's advocate, the downside of finding out more about Freddie's mental state is that we might not want to hear what a doctor might conclude. It would be comforting to know that Freddie's problems might have been caused by a medical condition but it is possible that Freddie was just young and made a lot of mistakes that ultimately cost him his life. When I read his mother's book I got so angry with some of the choices he made. I know hindsight is 20/20 and I'm definitely not judging but it was so frustrating knowing the outcome.
I guess we just have to ask ourselves if we could handle the answers whether good or bad.

I too think he was bi-polar from the way it sounds. I so wish he could've gotten help. Bless his heart he went thru so much that no on ever knew...

Thanks for all of your imput. I appreciate it. Even the professionals on the show stated that they couldn't tell 100% what Judy was going through only looking at the facts that were present through the remembrances of those who knew her and things that were known to the public. It is hard to make an accurate diagnosis when you don't have the person to talk to personally. But I think if these professionals could give us some clues, that would be something at least.

I am realistic to know that some of Freddie's problems were due to the fact that Freddie made bad choices. He was human after all, and all that stuff I am sure looked like the glamorous, popular thing to do. Even people like Tony Orlando and Richard Pryor admitted that the drug culture of Hollywood of the day was more than most stars could avoid. Freddie wasn't the only one to self destruct on drugs at the time, it was only a few short years later that we lost another rising star who lived life to excess... John Belushi. I just think that there are some personalities that seem more drawn to those excessive lifestyles.... which probably contributes to their talent as well.

I do know that I have read where very bright, talented but tragic figures in history might have been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder if that was known back then. Some people on the show I watched even thought that Judy Garland might have been a sufferer, but then one professional mentioned that the combination of drugs she was using combined with the alcohol she used to wash them down with would cause symptoms similar to bi polar disease, so it is hard to say whether she had it or not. The same could be said for Freddie. So who knows, but as a non professional, but a sufferer of a mental disease (Anxiety/panic disorder), I would love for a professional or two to weigh in on what they think might have been going on in Freddie's life.