Part of Maria Pruetzel's book talks about a psychiatric evaluation of Freddie that his doctor gave him shortly before his death. It's called a MMPI test and here's part of what it said:

"He is an excitable, volatile person who is full of energy and readily becomes involved in new activities. He is restless and tense with rapid mood shifts and a tendency to get involved in more activities than he can handle. He is a lively, high strung and unpredictable person whose excess energy and high activity level may be confusing or disturbing to those around him..."

The test results on this patient are strongly suggestive of a major emotional disorder...Appropriate professional evaluation and care and contunued oberservation are suggested."

Freddie discussed this with his manager Ron DeBlasio. The report was from his psychiatrist, Dr. Kroeger! How the hell could this doctor give Freddie back his gun and his "ludes" after a psych eval like that???

Today, maybe Freddie would have been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder (manic depressive illness) and could have gotten treatment. His highs were responsible for his genius...his lows, for his death. I miss him so http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif

Also, earlier in the evening of the shooting, after he picked up his gun and drugs from the good doctor, he was at his apt. with his secretary when he fell asleep on the couch. Why oh why didn't someone take that opportunity to take the gun and drugs out of the apt. and bring back the doctor, Ron D. Dusty, Cathy and whomever or just a couple of very large bodyguard types and DRAG Freddie off to a hospital. They could have told the press it was exhaustion (it wouldn't have been a lie) and Freddie couldn't have fought everyone!!

By the time Freddie woke up, he had the gun and the ludes back in his possession and only Dusty was there. I think Dusty was probably frightened of Freddie at this time because he was so spaced. Freddie could just have easily shot him too, he was so out of it!!

It's just SO DAMN SAD!! AND WHAT A WASTE

I agree, the whole thing just outrages the hell out of me! I had a friend when I was living in California who turned out to be manic-depressive, but I never knew until he called me out of the blue five years after we moved and said he was seeking treatment! This was also back in the 70's and his diagnosis didn't come until the early 80's. Where was everybody back then?

They should've done more to help poor Freddie. That Dr. must've been a quack! He needed a dr that would help him. I agree he should've been taken to a hospital for treatment & they say it was exhaustion. It might've saved his life. I'd have much rather them show old re-runs of the show for a coupla months while he got treated than for him to be gone forever. It's so sad...