Ruby Wax Uncovers History Of Mental Illness In Her Family

Ruby Wax discovers that she is not alone at experiencing mental illness and that other members of her family have had their own struggles.
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Ruby Wax's parents fled Vienna for America in 1938. 'They took the war with them and brought it to our kitchen,' says the comedian and mental-health campaigner at the start of this remarkable episode. They raised their only daughter in a dramatically dysfunctional household - Ruby's father was volatile and her mother 'hysterical... screaming in the street.' Ruby wonders if her own mental illness had its origins in her upbringing and the trauma her parents went through, or whether it is in her family's genes.
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Actor, comedian and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax traced the tragic roots of her family's history of mental illness in the Holocaust
In the 1990s, comedian and actor Ruby Wax found a new role. Following a diagnosis of depression, she trained in cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness, and has since worked tirelessly to promote better understanding of mental health issues.
“I think I have lived most of my life in a high anxiety state and so I want to know where that came from,” she says. “And I keep blaming my parents. It would be interesting to know who they’re blaming.”
It’s a story centred on Austria because, although Ruby was raised in Chicago, her parents, Edmund Wachs and Berta Goldmann, were Jewish émigrés who fled the Nazis before the start of the Second World War. “They took the war with them and brought it to our table,” says Ruby.
It’s a remark that reflects a dysfunctional childhood. Her mother had a condition dubbed “hysteria”, while her father was volatile - “a ‘torturer’” in Ruby’s mother’s estimation.
Neither talked much about the past, but Berta left a suitcase full of photographs, documents and letters that, with limited German, Ruby is unable to read. These mementoes prove crucial to Ruby reaching a new understanding of her parents and her wider family.

[@JenMaxon]

Somebody give Ruby a hug

[@GreenBananaz]

Manic schizophrenia / bipolar. The treatments were so brutal. My mum has bipolar and I just can’t comprehend her ever suffering that way. It’s unnerving.

[@J_Gamble]

This made me weep. Thanks, Ruby, for being "out" about mental illness.

[@dianahockins717]

That was sad.

[@kathrynsymonds9455]

Sending hugs for you Ruby, you are amazing!! xxoo

[@janehall2720]

I truly believe that some mental illnesses are carried in the gene slurry. I have researched my family and see it as a glaring light. We have self will and responsibility but the ember is lit via DNA. In my case it was molestation in every generation that I could check. I won't debate about whether or not it is genetic, but that is my opinion. I know humor helps tremendously, so hang on tight to that. Thank you for sharing.

[@thevocalcrone]

not necessarily genetic.. potentially intergenerational trauma.. repetition of patterns .

[@marciecorda5209]

Keeping people for days in water, strapped like that- reminds me about NATZI experiments and crazy " Treatments".

[@shawnblackhawk6718]

If @RubyWax sees this, just know, you are NOT alone. And there is NO reason to feel guilty

[@dixiecat666]

Fascinating & heart wrenching at the same time .

[@debb8152]

This is an amazing story.

[@candisfirchau3810]

PTSD

[@nalseeramdin6219]

I think it could have been tourettes syndrome. My nephew has tourettes and Ruby lists the same symptoms. I am sure it was not known back in the day

[@Tawadeb]

Hugs Ruby xxx

[@clair233]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@prettypurple7175]

BLOODY HELL

[@marciecorda5209]

HOLY Catholic BABTISM and exorcism beautiful prayers removes devil from people.