Known for his distinctive catchphrase, “don’t touch me!” Howie Mandel surprised everyone when he tightly embraced Reba McEntire on the stage of The Voice. This comedian, who has a fear of germs, couldn’t resist the magnetic pull of the country music star. While Mandel appears energetic and happy in the spotlight, off-screen, he admits to being a “scared” man who often prefers to live “in the fetal position.”
Recently, Mandel made a shocking confession about how he manages the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that torments him. The nightmare of the global pandemic brought out the inner germaphobe in many people, but for Mandel, the fear of germs is never-ending and debilitating. “There isn’t a waking moment of my life when ‘we could die’ doesn’t come into my psyche,” Mandel says. The pandemic was especially triggering for him, as the whole world seemed to be in chaos, leading to what he describes as “absolute hell.”
Living with OCD means experiencing unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions and performing repetitive behaviors called compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions disrupt daily activities and cause distress. Mandel describes living with OCD as a “nightmare,” even though he finds solace in his beautiful family and the love he has for his work. However, he also admits to falling into dark depressions that are hard to escape.
But there is one thing that helps Mandel get through each day: laughter. With his unparalleled sense of humor, he uses comedy as his coping mechanism. “If I’m not laughing, then I’m crying,” he says. By finding the funny in situations, Mandel can resist the dangerous pull of OCD. However, when he has nothing to do, he turns inward, which is not ideal.
Mandel always keeps himself busy with various projects, such as serving as a judge on the America’s Got Talent franchise and hosting several other shows. His sense of humor and energy have made him a joy to be around, which is quite different from his alter ego who prefers the fetal position at home. Mandel admits he is “incredibly medicated” to manage his mental health issues.
Recently, Mandel surprised viewers when he tightly embraced Reba McEntire on The Voice stage. This behavior is unusual for him, as he typically shies away from physical contact due to his fear of germs. Mandel acknowledges that people may find inconsistencies in his actions, such as hugging someone or shaking hands. He explains that he can shake hands with someone, but his OCD causes him to doubt whether he washed his hands well enough, leading to hours of handwashing.
Despite the humorous aspect of his struggles, Mandel wants to maintain an honest conversation about mental health. It’s something that is incredibly painful for him, and he doesn’t want to defend it. He just wants to continue the dialogue and bring awareness to the topic.
Howie Mandel’s openness about his mental health is both inspiring and important. It encourages others to share their own stories and helps break down stigmas surrounding mental health. What are your thoughts on Howie Mandel and his candor about his mental health? Let us know and share this story to start a meaningful conversation!
READ MORE
- 11-year-old shocks ‘AGT’ judges after singing powerful rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ during commercial break
- Two moms united by organ donation stun ‘America’s Got Talent’ judges with ‘magical’ Wicked performance
