Robin Williams Was Incorrectly Diagnosed And The Mistake Was Only Found Out During His Autopsy

Robin Williams' son recently talked about a sad mistake with his dad's health condition that was only found out after he passed away.

Robin Williams, a well-known actor, was incorrectly told he had Parkinson's disease.

This condition affects the brain and leads to problems like shaking, stiffness, and trouble with balance and movement.

He was diagnosed with this two years before he died. The much-loved actor took his own life in 2014 when he was 63 years old.

On July 21st, which would have been his 73rd birthday, his son Zak shared a heartfelt message online.

Robin Williams with his son Zak. Getty Images / NY Daily News Archive / Richard Corkery

He expressed his gratitude towards his father for all the joy and hope he brought to people's lives.

He mentioned, "Dad, on what would be your 73rd birthday, I remember you for all the hope and joy you brought to the world.

"There's not a week that goes by without someone sharing with me how you helped them through a dark time or a rough patch. 

"I'm so grateful and proud to be your son. Love you forever."

It was only after Williams died, a decade ago, that an autopsy showed he actually had Lewy body dementia (LBD), not Parkinson’s.

This condition had been causing symptoms similar to Parkinson's.

The Mayo Clinic explains that LBD is a serious brain disorder and the second-most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's.

It happens when "Protein deposits called Lewy bodies develop in nerve cells in the brain.

"The protein deposits affect brain regions involved in thinking, memory and movement."

The star is known for several iconic roles. 20th Century Studios

Sadly, there is no cure or treatment available to slow down this aggressive neurological disease.

Back in 2021, on Max Lugavere's The Genius Life podcast, Zak spoke about how this misdiagnosis made his dad's last years very difficult.

He shared that the symptoms his dad experienced didn't align exactly with typical Parkinson's cases, which was very hard on him.

"What he was going through didn't match one-to-one [with] many Parkinson's patients' experiences. So, I think that was hard for him.

"There was a focus issue that frustrated him, there were issues associated with how he felt, and also from a neurological perspective, he didn't feel great. He was very uncomfortable,"

Zak continued, adding that the wrong medical advice and medication probably made things worse. "They're also really hard on the mind and the body.

"The diagnosis was different than the disease so I think it could be a situation where you're taking stuff and experiencing purely the side effects of [the drug]."

Zak also discussed how this illness and the wrong diagnosis hindered his father’s ability to perform, which deeply affected his mental well-being.

"I don't want to say it was a short period. It felt a lot longer than it actually was because it was a period for him of intense searching and frustration.

"I couldn't help but feel beyond empathy. I couldn't help but feel frustrated for him. It can be really isolating even when you're with family and loved ones."

After Robin’s death, his widow, Susan Schneider, wrote a powerful essay titled 'The terrorist inside my husband's brain' for the scientific journal, Neurology.

She described how the disease had caused so much damage to his brain that it was like chemical warfare inside it

If you're struggling with similar issues and need someone to talk to, please remember you're not alone.

You can call the Samaritans at any time for free. Their number is 116 123, and it’s completely confidential.