In a candid revelation, renowned comedian Howie Mandel disclosed the toll his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) took on his family life, leading to an ultimatum from his wife, Terry.
Mandel, best known for his role as a judge on "America's Got Talent," admitted that his OCD behaviors had made his family's life "miserable."
Speaking to Today.com, Mandel recounted, "Id have my children and my wife spray everything down and not touch things. I wouldnt take things that they were handed. I would remove some of their toys that I saw touch the ground."
The situation escalated to the point where Terry gave him an ultimatum. "My wife just gave me an ultimatum. She goes, I cant do this anymore and I cant have the children do it anymore. And if you dont get help, thats it," Mandel recalled. This ultimatum led him to therapy, where he was diagnosed with OCD.
Mandel, who was diagnosed in his late 40s, initially felt "embarrassed" about his mental health condition, acknowledging the societal "stigma" associated with it.
Despite using humor as a coping mechanism, Mandel expressed his disapproval of people who trivialize OCD. "I cant tell you how many people come up to me and go, Oh, yeah, Im a little OCD, too. I like everything in order. If my room is not clean, Im just not happy. I've got a little OCD. You cant have a little OCD."
The 67-year-old comedian, while grateful for his successful career and loving family, admitted that his mental health battle often feels like a "war zone" inside his head. "Ive been really successful. I have a beautiful family and I love what I do. But inside my head, it is a war zone, and its a war worth fighting, and I continue to fight it."
OCD, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts that can evolve into phobias and lead to repetitive behaviors or compulsions, often accompanied by anxiety.
Mandel, who has been vocal about his struggles with OCD, is committed to combating the societal stigma surrounding mental health issues. Last October, ahead of National OCD Awareness Month, he told Fox News Digital about his ongoing efforts to change societal perceptions of mental health problems.
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