Howie Mandel on Battling Severe Anxiety and OCD: “I’m Living in a Nightmare” | PEOPLE

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses their personal mission to destigmatize mental health by openly talking about it. They mention their own struggles with ADHD, OCD, and anxiety, which sometimes leads to depression. The speaker also highlights the importance of discussing mental health with their children and the challenges they faced during the pandemic, including staying away from their kids and dealing with their own mental health issues. The paragraph concludes with the launch of a comedy podcast co-hosted with their daughter, which was born out of their need to stay connected during a time of social distancing.

This paragraph delves into the personal experiences of the speaker and their daughter with depression and anxiety. Despite having a seemingly perfect life with a successful career and a healthy family, the speaker describes being in a 'devastatingly dark depression.' They talk about the constant struggle with mental health, even when surrounded by love and support. The speaker's daughter shares her own experiences with therapy and the challenges of coping during the pandemic, especially as a mother. They both emphasize the importance of seeking help and having coping mechanisms, and they advocate for mental health to be a part of the curriculum, just like dental health.

The speaker recounts their first experience performing stand-up comedy and how it became a life-changing moment. They describe the initial terror of performing in front of an audience and how it led to a realization that being on stage was where they felt most alive and present. The act of performing helped them to cope with their mental health issues by providing a distraction from their obsessive thoughts. The speaker also discusses the impact of the pandemic on their ability to perform and the void it left in their life, highlighting the importance of live performance and connection with an audience as a form of therapy.

In this paragraph, the speaker's daughter reflects on her relationship with her father, Howie Mandel, and how it evolved over time. She acknowledges the unique and quirky nature of their family dynamics and the challenges they faced, particularly during her teenage years. The daughter talks about the control issues that arose from her father's OCD and how it affected their relationship. However, she also discusses the realization that they are more alike than different, which helped them to understand and deal with each other better. Therapy and the birth of her own children played a role in mending their relationship and deepening their bond.

The final paragraph focuses on the importance of family as a source of joy and strength amidst the ongoing struggle with mental health. Both the speaker and their daughter express how the presence of their children and grandchildren brings light and happiness into their lives, despite the challenges they face. The speaker talks about feeling broken but finding solace in the love and connection with their family. The daughter also shares her ongoing journey with therapy and the reassurance she finds in seeing her children thrive. They both agree that being present and cherishing the moments with loved ones is crucial, even as they continue to navigate their mental health.