Howie Mandel Talks About Living With OCD | 20/20 | ABC News
TLDRThe script reveals the struggles of comedian Howie Mandel with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition affecting approximately five million Americans. Mandel's fear of germs and compulsive behaviors, which extend beyond his well-known fist bump, have significantly impacted his personal and professional life. Despite his successful career, including the popular game show 'Deal or No Deal', Mandel has grappled with the embarrassment and challenges of OCD since childhood. The script also touches on his therapy, medication, and the impact of his condition on his family life, including the construction of a separate house to escape germs. Mandel's story sheds light on the reality of living with OCD and the ongoing battle against the disorder.
Takeaways
- 🎭 Howie Mandel, a famous comedian, struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which affects his daily life significantly.
- 🤝 Howie avoids physical contact like handshakes due to his fear of germs, opting for fist bumps instead.
- 🚫 Mandel's OCD is so severe that he avoids touching common objects like handrails and door handles, and even struggles with being around his own family.
- 📚 Howie has written a book titled 'Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me,' detailing his experiences and challenges with OCD.
- 🏠 He has a specific area in his home, a second house in the backyard, where he can retreat to escape the perceived germs.
- 🧼 Mandel's obsession with cleanliness extends to his bald head, which he feels is cleaner and more streamlined.
- 👨👧👦 Howie's OCD has made parenting difficult, as he has had to explain his behavior to his children and maintain distance during sickness.
- 💊 Howie is currently in therapy and on medication to manage the anxiety associated with his OCD.
- 🎬 His struggles are likened to the portrayal of Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator,' highlighting the depth of his OCD's impact on his life.
- 🎥 The script reveals that Mandel's OCD was not initially known to the public, but he later opened up about it during an appearance on the Howard Stern Show.
- 🤣 Despite his challenges, Mandel's humor has been a coping mechanism, and his wife has been supportive since the early days of his career.
Q & A
What is the condition that affects Howie Mandel and approximately five million Americans?
-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the condition that affects Howie Mandel and about five million Americans, causing significant challenges in their daily lives.
How does Howie Mandel's OCD affect his interactions with his audience and family?
-Howie Mandel's OCD affects his interactions by making him avoid shaking hands, touching doorknobs or glasses, and even being with his own family at times due to his obsession with germs.
What is the significance of the fist bump as a trademark for Howie Mandel?
-The fist bump is significant as it serves as Howie Mandel's way to avoid shaking hands, which he associates with germs, and it has become a well-known part of his persona.
What is the title of Howie Mandel's new book, and what does it reveal about him?
-The title of Howie Mandel's new book is 'Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me,' which reveals his struggle with OCD and the challenges he faces due to his condition.
Why does Howie Mandel avoid touching handrails and other objects that many people have touched?
-Howie Mandel avoids touching handrails and other objects because his OCD causes him to have an intense fear of germs, leading him to believe these items are contaminated.
How does Howie Mandel's OCD impact his work environment and personal life?
-Howie Mandel's OCD impacts his work environment by making him avoid touching objects and maintaining a clean, untouched workspace. In his personal life, it affects his ability to be with his family, especially when they are sick, and has led to the construction of a separate house in his backyard for him to escape germs.
What is the difference between Howie Mandel's fear of germs and the fear experienced by his fans?
-While Howie Mandel's fear of germs is a symptom of his OCD and is all-consuming, the fear experienced by his fans is more likely to be a general admiration or excitement that doesn't interfere with their daily lives.
How did Howie Mandel's OCD first become public knowledge?
-Howie Mandel's OCD first became public knowledge when he inadvertently mentioned his 'germ fetish' during an appearance on the Howard Stern Show.
What was the initial reaction of Howie Mandel after revealing his OCD on the Howard Stern Show?
-Howie Mandel felt devastated, embarrassed, and worried that he had humiliated his family and thought it would be the end of his career because people would know about his mental health issues.
How does Howie Mandel's experience with OCD compare to the portrayal of Howard Hughes in the movie 'The Aviator'?
-Howie Mandel sees striking similarities between his experience with OCD and the portrayal of Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator', particularly in the way Hughes ends up isolating himself and avoiding contact with the world due to his fears.
How has Howie Mandel's OCD affected his family life, especially in raising his children?
-Howie Mandel's OCD has made raising his children challenging, as he had to avoid physical contact when they were sick and maintain a separate space in his home. However, he emphasizes that he cares for them and is present in other ways.
Outlines
😷 OCD Struggles of Comedian Howie Mandel
The first paragraph introduces the challenges faced by Howie Mandel, a famous comedian, due to his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It highlights his inability to perform everyday tasks such as shaking hands, touching doorknobs, or even being close to his family due to his fear of germs. The paragraph also mentions his trademark fist bump as a way to avoid direct contact. Howie Mandel's OCD is described as all-consuming offstage, and it discusses his new book 'Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me,' which reveals his struggle with the disorder. It also touches upon his long career in comedy and entertainment, including his appearances on The Tonight Show and his roles in TV and movies. The paragraph concludes with Mandel's ongoing therapy and medication for his OCD and his decision to not disclose the specific medication he uses, understanding the many individuals with OCD who are also seeking solutions.
👨👧👦 Howie Mandel's Family Life and OCD Impact
The second paragraph delves into the personal life of Howie Mandel, discussing the profound impact OCD has had on his family dynamics. It describes Mandel's identification with children who also suffer from OCD, as documented in a separate report, and his empathy for their struggles. The paragraph also explores Mandel's past, including his expulsion from high school and his journey to become a comedian. It mentions his wife's support and her initial perception of his OCD symptoms as part of his comedic persona. The narrative continues with Mandel's comparison of his OCD to the portrayal of Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator,' indicating the severity of his condition. The paragraph also addresses the challenges Mandel faced as a father, including building a separate house to escape germs and the difficulty of physical contact with his children. It concludes with anecdotes about family trips and the measures Mandel took to avoid germs, illustrating the day-to-day implications of his OCD on family life.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡OCD
💡Germs
💡Fist bump
💡Anxiety
💡Medications
💡Therapy
💡Embarrassment
💡Rituals
💡Isolation
💡Family
💡Career
Highlights
Howie Mandel, a superstar comedian, lives with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD affects about five million Americans, making everyday life challenging.
Mandel's OCD manifests as an intense fear of germs, impacting his daily activities and interactions.
His trademark fist bump is a way to avoid shaking hands due to his germ obsession.
Mandel's OCD is not limited to germs; it also affects his workspace and personal habits.
His new book, 'Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me,' reveals his struggle with OCD.
Mandel's OCD has been a secret he's kept for most of his career.
He has been in therapy and on medication for the anxiety associated with OCD.
Mandel's OCD began in childhood, with early signs of fear and rituals.
He relates to children who suffer from OCD, empathizing with their struggles.
Mandel's OCD has impacted his family life, including interactions with his children.
He has built a separate house in his backyard to escape germs from his family.
Mandel's wife has been supportive, understanding his OCD rituals from the beginning of their relationship.
His humor and comedy have been a coping mechanism for dealing with his OCD.
Mandel's OCD has moments of being debilitating, causing him to isolate himself.
Despite his struggles, Mandel continues to perform and connect with his audience.
Mandel's openness about his OCD aims to raise awareness and understanding of the disorder.
Transcripts
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