Aussie actor Heath Ledger, star of the gay romance movie "Brokeback Mountain", suffered from depression, insomnia and addiction, according to reports from Australian newspapers The Courier-Mail and the Herald Sun.
A source interviewed by the Herald Sun said, "Heath was shattered by his split from Michelle. He became a recluse. He barely slept. He was dealing with terrible mood swings."
"He adored his daughter, Matilda", said the source, "and when Michelle called it quits he missed Matilda so much that he was thrown into a deep, dark depression."
The Courier-Mail reported that he had spent several days at a drug rehab clinic battling an addiction to heroin following his split with fiancee Michelle Williams in September.
In November he had told an interviewer that he suffered from insomnia and was regularly taking Ambien sleeping pills.
Ledger was found naked and unconscious in his Manhattan apartment on January 23. Paramedics were unable to revive him and he was later pronounced dead.
Police said his death was possibly due to either an accidental overdose or suicide. Several different prescription anti-anxiety and sleeping pills were found in the star's bedroom, however, no obvious signs of suicide, like a suicide note, were found at the scene.
Such a shame.
I feel so bad for him and the great loss to his family as we all go through this blinding mess left by depression, sleeplessness and anxiety. I live it every day with great intensity, but what can ya do? 6 years ago, i was allowed by the rental office where i live, to get a pet. I have had a cat for that long and he has given me a daily thing to get up for and he keeps me semi grounded. I hate this for us all that suffer the battle. R.I.P. HEATH.
I liked Heath as an actor. I could identify with him. He seemed to have sad eyes. Even in Happy Films there was just a hint of saddness. He withdrew the past year and I wondered about him. My heart aches at his death but He now has all the answers I long for. What does God look like? Did he see Heaven and his loved ones and I known in my heart he hears my prayers. Now He Can get Fan mail by Knee Mail.
Depression is a terrible disease, but is it really a disease or is a choice? Sandy Copeland used to think that there was something wrong with him but then through a series of unpredictable events he realized that he was choosing to be this way, you can read about him at http://novelog.com
I suffer from depression, and the answer to your question is that it is not a choice. I hate it!!! I don’t want to suffer from it. Depression is a chemical Imbalance that I have no control of …. I will be taking medication for it the rest of my life…
Check out the URL above
http://www.depression.com/understanding_depression.html
I too suffer from debilitating depression and anxiety. My family have disowned me and everyone I used to be friends with has given up on me. I have attempted suicide several times and never left a note. It’s really not something you think about. I really feel for Heath’s death. It strikes home again how little understanding there is of depression. The world has lost another beautiful human being to this terrible illness. RIP beautiful man.
My heart is pierced at this story, greatly because it could have easily been my own. I’ve suffered debilitating insomnia for almost three years now often to the point where I am left no choice but to swallow whatever herbs and medicines I have in hope to just rest a few hours. Heath, my best wishes to you may you rest in peace forever.
the world lost a great person that day, hopefully he has found a happy place above, the world misses you, just if you could come back R.I.P Heath
The idea that depression is a choice makes no sense at all. No one would want to feel so bad they would then want to take their own life. Depression is different from unhappiness.
I love Heath Ledger, he was an AMAZING actor.
<3
R.I.P.
he did amazing in Batman too.
I think I loved Heath so much because I could relate to him. Every depression sufferer deals with it differently and I think I deal with mine in a very similar way to him, judging from what I know of him and have noticed about him in interviews and stuff. Every single emotion he showed in his movies I could totally identify with. It was clear he had depression. When he appeared happy he was really happy, and when he wasn’t, he really wasn’t lol. I deal with extreme mood swings as well. I believe it was suicide. I just dont think a guy as smart as him would have taken so many different pills, and I know he suffered a lot from being famous. In a way I’m glad he’s dead because he no longer has to suffer. He’s in a better place
@ Gaylord
Thank you ♥ I needed to see some good ol’ commonsense…
but I am burdened by whatever this is. I don’t like to label because it hasn’t gotten us nowhere but someone who takes their own life can be very happy and proud and thankful and … My point is, don’t tell someone to “get over it” or that it is a “choice”. 
those are good too.
Everyone thinks I am the poster girl for “happy”. I am not. I am an adult. 36 years old and I’ve done well at hiding it. Those who are close friends know what’s going on with me and they don’t always understand but they still regard me as “happy”.
I am happy
I choose to be happy. I do not choose clouds and rain tomorrow.
I love you all for talking about this topic and I think Heath would be grateful for those who may not understand, but tried/and still try to.
Understanding not to understand is the greatest gift of support! a hug
Depression is a mix.
Yes, many people choose to keep themselves in a downward spiral, because in the end of the day, the only one who can make you feel something, is you.
Your view is what makes you down, so instead of changing the situation, you can change your view.
Now, that being said.
Most people are not equipped with the mental-health skills, nor the knowledge of such a concept, so it is very hard to combat it.
You have more control over your feelings than you think.
Oh, and to the person talking about chemical imbalances..
You grow out of that at an age of 18 – 25+ or so(Drug usage and conditioning your own thoughts in a negative manner can prolong this).
poor heath