Howie Mandel has revealed how he struggles to cope with his health issues which include OCD and anxiety.
Howie Mandel Opens Up On His OCD And Anxiety Struggles
The star, who is best known for being a judge on America’s Got Talent, is known for his light-hearted approach to life. And yet, off-camera, the judge has been struggling to deal with his daily life. In an interview with People magazine, Howie stated how he battles to keep himself together. He said: “[I am] living in a nightmare. [I have a] ‘painful struggle living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.”
But with his family by his side, he does have a fighting chance. Howie, for his part, has been married to his wife, Terry since 1980. During this time, the couple have managed to raise three kids: Riley, Alex and Jackie. And this support network has allowed Howie to focus on the positives. He added: “I try to anchor myself. I have a beautiful family, and I love what I do.
“But at the same time, I can fall into a dark depression I can’t get out of.” However, those struggles have been exacerbated by the presence of the pandemic. Howie has had to make extra adjustments in his life, and his OCD has gotten worse in response to the emphasis on hand sanitisation. Such a thing was hard for the average person to get used to, but for Howie, it made his hygiene levels border on obsessive.
He continued: “There isn’t a waking moment of my life when ‘we could die’ doesn’t come into my psyche… But [During the pandemic], the whole world was not okay. And it was absolute hell.” Nevertheless, Howie has found some happiness through the struggles. He revealed how his judging role on America’s Got Talent has allowed him to use laughter and entertainment as a way to keep his mind occupied.
This has worked wonders, as Howie has managed to stay on the show for an impressive twelve seasons. That has been instrumental for his mental health. He noted: “My coping skill is finding the funny. If I’m not laughing, then I’m crying.” It is great to see Howie continuing to fight the odds, and if there is anyone who can overcome these struggles, it is him.
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