Howie Mandel: Embracing Life with OCD

Known for his catchphrase, “don’t touch me!” Howie Mandel surprised everyone when he tightly embraced Reba McEntire on the stage of The Voice. The comedian, who has a debilitating fear of germs, couldn’t resist the magnetic pull of the country music star.

But behind the scenes, Mandel admits that he lives in constant fear and prefers to stay in the background, feeling vulnerable. Recently, he made a shocking confession about his mental health struggles. Let’s delve deeper into his story.

The global pandemic intensified the fear of contamination in many people, but for some, including Howie Mandel, this fear is a never-ending battle.

Mandel, who has struggled with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since childhood, describes his daily life as a “nightmare.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, OCD is characterized by unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions, which lead to repetitive behaviors, or compulsions, causing distress and interfering with daily activities.

For Mandel, finding solace in the fact that those around him were okay was crucial. However, during the pandemic, when the entire world seemed to be in turmoil, his OCD plunged him into “absolute hell.”

Mandel admits that there isn’t a waking moment when the thought of mortality doesn’t cross his mind. But despite his struggles, he has a beautiful family and a successful career in comedy, which helps him cope with his condition.

Laughter has always been Mandel’s best medicine. He believes that finding humor in every situation is the key to staying afloat. If he’s not laughing, he’s crying. However, he acknowledges that he hasn’t been completely open about how dark and ugly his struggles can get.

Still, he’s learned to resist the dangerous pull of OCD through his comedy. Onstage, Mandel feels most comfortable, and when he doesn’t have anything to do, he tends to turn inward, which exacerbates his condition.

Mandel’s unique sense of humor has propelled him to success as a judge on America’s Got Talent and allowed him to host various shows. He brings his unparalleled wit and charm to everything he does, using comedy as a coping mechanism.

However, he’s not immune to the challenges posed by his mental health battles. In fact, he emphasizes that his success and apparent joy in public settings often mask his internal struggles.

In a candid conversation with Kelly Clarkson on her talk show, Mandel revealed that he is “neurotic” and has OCD. Despite his public persona, he admitted that he finds solace in retreating to the safety of his home and living in the fetal position.

Clarkson, surprised by the contrast between Mandel’s public and private personas, commended him for his openness. Mandel, always ready with a comedic response, joked about being “incredibly medicated” to manage his mental health.

Recently, Mandel once again surprised viewers when he tightly embraced Reba McEntire on The Voice stage. Mandel’s fear of physical contact and his obsession with cleanliness make such acts rare for him.

Although he can shake hands, he often gets caught in a loop of washing his hands for hours, fearing contamination. Despite the inconsistencies people may see in his behavior, Mandel’s struggles with OCD are real and painful, even if he finds some humor in it.

Howie Mandel’s openness about his mental health struggles is commendable. By sharing his story, he encourages others to engage in conversations about mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding it.

Mandel’s journey reminds us that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their public persona or success. Let’s join the conversation and create a more understanding and supportive world for everyone.