Robin Williams' death sheds light on depression

LOS ANGELES (KABC) --

"I'm fine now, I'm OK, and then...next thing you know, it's not OK. You're standing at a precipice and you look down, there's a voice, and it's a little quiet voice that goes, 'Jump.' The same voice goes, 'Just one.' For someone who has no tolerance for it, that's not a possibility," Williams said during a 2006 interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Williams had just completed rehab for alcohol addiction when he did the interview. While he openly talked about his battle with alcohol and a cocaine addiction in the 1980s, his deep struggle with depression was not as well known.

ABC senior medical contributor Dr. Jennifer Ashton says the two are separate illnesses that can feed off each other.

"Of course, depression can lead to addiction and addiction could lead to depression. But they can be two parallel disease processes, and when one or both are out of control, they can spiral precipitously downhill very quickly," said Ashton.

What the Robin Williams tragedy can teach us about depression

Learn how to find resources to help yourself and loved ones.

Ashton says one thing we can learn is that depression needs to be taken seriously.

"Let's not let another person die in vain. Let's increase our awareness and understand that when a person is profoundly depressed, they need one to one medical attention," said Ashton. "It's a true medical emergency, and the first step is getting that person help."

While paying tribute to Williams on Twitter, some celebrities also issued a serious message to fans.

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Robin Williams' death sheds light on depression