In a surprising moment on “The Voice” in 2023, Howie Mandel, known for his fear of germs, shocked fans when he gave country star Reba McEntire a big hug. For a man who usually avoids physical contact, this was unexpected.
But Mandel’s journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) goes much deeper than what meets the eye. He has opened up about his struggles, giving people a better understanding of how this condition impacts his life.
Mandel has been vocal about living with OCD, describing it as a constant battle that affects him every day. He admits that while he may appear happy and lively on stage, off-screen, he feels like he’s living in a nightmare. His obsessive fear of germs has plagued him since childhood, and the pandemic only heightened his anxieties.
In an interview with People, Mandel shared how the pandemic made things worse for him, saying, “There isn’t a waking moment of my life when ‘we could die’ doesn’t come into my psyche.” While many people eventually felt safe again after the initial COVID-19 scare, Mandel found it difficult to shake off his fear. His experience during the pandemic was particularly traumatic, as it triggered his OCD in ways that made him feel like the world around him was in chaos.
What is OCD?
According to the Mayo Clinic, OCD is a mental health disorder that causes recurring unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These thoughts and actions disrupt daily life, and for Mandel, it means struggling with simple things like handshakes or hugs. While he sometimes manages to push past these fears, like when he hugged McEntire, the mental toll afterward can be exhausting.
Finding Comfort in Humor
Despite these challenges, Mandel continues to rely on humor as his coping mechanism. “If I’m not laughing, then I’m crying,” he explains. Over the years, he has learned to find comedy in his darkest moments, which helps him stay grounded. Whether he’s judging contestants on America’s Got Talent or performing stand-up, being on stage offers him an escape from his inner turmoil.
Balancing Mental Health and Fame
Mandel is not shy about discussing the medications and therapies he uses to manage his mental health. In a candid conversation with Kelly Clarkson, he revealed that he often feels nervous and prefers to retreat to the safety of his home. His honesty about being “incredibly medicated” has resonated with fans, showing that even public figures deal with the ups and downs of mental health.
His unexpected hug with McEntire may have been a small victory, but it highlights a larger struggle many people with OCD face: the need to find balance between their fears and their desire for connection. As Mandel continues to speak openly about his mental health, he is helping to remove the stigma around OCD and encourage others to seek support.