…a regular on another popular television show, playing Detective Barry Frost on TNT’s ‘Rizzoli and Isles.’
In August 2013, something changed.
“After we knew that Lee was found dead in his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, we, of course, were stunned,” said Love. “I guess that’s the question that everyone would ask. And we really don’t know those answers and there’s really no way to know.”
After almost a year of silence, Young’s family is finally opening up about his life and tragic death. They’ve just launched the Lee Thompson Young Foundation to try to help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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“I do feel like having someone like Lee impacted by it and it being in the news and that sort,” Lewis said, “It sort of kind of makes it okay. People know that Lee wasn’t the only one. And for them to see everything he accomplished in the 29 years, it’s more than some people accomplish their whole lives. He was able to do that with a mental illness and, yes, it ended tragically but, through that we’re inspired.”
Since then, Lewis and Thompson sister have formed the Lee Thompson Young Foundation to address the mental health needs of the community. You can find out more more by going to LTYfoundation.org
What’s The Difference Between Bipolar Disorder & Depression?
Both depression and bipolar disorder are serious illnesses that can impact your quality of life. While they have their similarities, its their differences that really matter when it comes to treating either one of them.
Depression is more than just feeling low. It’s a deep sadness or emptiness you can’t shake. You might feel hopeless, worthless, and restless. You might lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. Depression (also called major depressive disorder or MDD) often goes hand-in-hand with sleep problems, changes in appetite, and trouble concentrating. It can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. People who suffer from depression might have some days that are better than others. But without proper treatment, their mood tends to remain low.
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Bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic depression) is different. If you have it, you have extreme mood swings. You experience periods of depression (similar to MDD). But you also have periods of great highs.
A person suffering from major depression has experienced a period of at least two full, consecutive weeks of several of the following:
- Depressed mood or anger
- Significant changes in appetite
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Decreased libido
- Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- In severe cases, thoughts of suicide
The individual with bipolar disorder may have several of the same symptoms as someone with depression for the same duration of time, but in addition, there is a period following the
