Comedian Howie Mandel opens up about his OCD diagnosis | ABCNL

ABC News
12 May 202306:11
EducationalLearning
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TLDRComedian and TV personality Howie Mandel discusses his journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). After 40 years without a proper diagnosis, Mandel now advocates for mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of discussing OCD openly. He shares his experience and the relief he felt upon discovering he wasn't alone. Mandel has partnered with 'NoCD', an app providing affordable, professional help for those with OCD, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage people to seek help as they would for physical ailments.

Takeaways
  • 🎙️ Comedian and TV personality Howie Mandel discusses his journey with OCD, emphasizing the importance of talking about mental health.
  • 🔍 Howie Mandel was misdiagnosed for over 40 years before correctly identifying his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • 🤝 Howie's wife issued an ultimatum, pushing him to seek help for his OCD, which was affecting their relationship and his life.
  • 🗣️ Mandel initially hid his diagnosis due to the stigma surrounding mental health but later found relief in sharing his story publicly.
  • 📱 Howie Mandel partnered with the company 'noCD' to promote an app that offers affordable and accessible professional help for OCD sufferers.
  • 👥 He aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and encourage people to seek help without shame or fear of judgment.
  • 🚑 Mandel highlights the need for OCD sufferers to find experts in the field, as many people are misdiagnosed by general therapists or psychiatrists.
  • 💡 The 'noCD' app is presented as a resource for anyone struggling with OCD, providing a specific and professional platform for assistance.
  • 🌟 Howie Mandel's story illustrates the lifelong struggle with OCD and the transformative power of proper diagnosis and treatment.
  • 🌐 He advocates for a cultural shift to treat mental health with the same openness and seriousness as physical health.
  • 🙌 Mandel's mission is to empower people to speak openly about mental health issues and to seek the help they need without fear of stigma.
Q & A

  • What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

    -OCD is a mental health condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts or behaviors that a person feels the urge to repeat over and over.

  • How did Howie Mandel's OCD manifest in his life?

    -Howie Mandel's OCD manifested through behaviors such as washing his hands excessively for hours, and a constant need to avoid touching things that he perceived as contaminated.

  • Why was Howie Mandel misdiagnosed for so long?

    -Howie Mandel was misdiagnosed for so long because he and others around him did not recognize his symptoms as OCD, and the stigma surrounding mental health made it difficult for him to seek help.

  • What was the turning point for Howie Mandel to seek help for his OCD?

    -The turning point for Howie Mandel was when his wife gave him an ultimatum, threatening to leave him if he did not seek help for his OCD.

  • How did Howie Mandel feel about accidentally revealing his OCD diagnosis on Howard Stern's show?

    -Howie Mandel initially felt devastated after accidentally revealing his OCD diagnosis on Howard Stern's show, but later found relief when people started coming up to him and sharing their own experiences.

  • What is the name of the company Howie Mandel partnered with to help others with OCD?

    -Howie Mandel partnered with a company called 'noCD' to help others with OCD.

  • What does the noCD app offer to individuals with OCD?

    -The noCD app offers affordable, accessible, and professional help for individuals with OCD, including therapy and support services.

  • Why does Howie Mandel believe it's important to talk about mental health?

    -Howie Mandel believes it's important to talk about mental health to reduce the stigma surrounding it, to encourage people to seek help, and to foster a culture where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.

  • What message does Howie Mandel hope people will take away from his story?

    -Howie Mandel hopes that people will understand there is help available for mental health issues like OCD, and that they should not feel ashamed to seek it.

  • How does Howie Mandel describe his experience with OCD before medication and therapy?

    -Before medication and therapy, Howie Mandel describes his experience with OCD as being in constant turmoil, with an inability to function normally and a preoccupation with germs and contamination.

Outlines
00:00
😷 Howie Mandel's OCD Journey and Advocacy

Comedian and TV personality Howie Mandel discusses his experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which he was misdiagnosed for over 40 years. He describes OCD as a relentless battle with uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors. Mandel's wife gave him an ultimatum to seek help, leading to his eventual diagnosis. He now aims to destigmatize mental health and OCD by sharing his story and advocating for open conversation. Mandel has partnered with an app called 'noCD' to provide affordable and accessible mental health support for those struggling with OCD. He emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help from experts in the field and hopes his story will encourage others to address their mental health as openly as they would their physical health.

05:01
🌟 Howie Mandel's Mission to Normalize Mental Health Conversations

In this paragraph, Howie Mandel continues to open up about his OCD and the societal stigma that surrounds mental health issues. He highlights the need for a cultural shift where mental health is discussed as openly as physical health concerns, such as dental care. Mandel shares his desire to eliminate the negative perception associated with mental health struggles and to create a supportive environment for those who are suffering. He points out the contrast in how physical ailments are openly discussed and treated compared to the secrecy and shame often associated with mental health issues. Mandel's advocacy includes promoting the 'noCD' app as a resource for those in need of help, emphasizing the importance of having a designated place where individuals can seek assistance without fear of judgment or stigma.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a mental health condition characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that the individual feels driven to perform. In the video, Howie Mandel discusses his diagnosis with OCD, which has been a significant part of his life since birth, affecting his daily routines and interactions with others.
💡Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis refers to a situation where a medical condition is incorrectly identified or not diagnosed at all. Howie Mandel mentions that for 40 years he was either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed with OCD, which implies that he did not receive proper treatment or understanding of his condition during that time.
💡Stigma
Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. In the context of the video, the stigma surrounding mental health conditions like OCD made Mandel hesitant to openly discuss his diagnosis, reflecting the societal prejudices and misconceptions about mental health.
💡Therapy
Therapy, in a medical context, refers to the treatment or healing of physical or mental disorders. Howie Mandel mentions that he is now in therapy, which is a crucial part of managing OCD and improving his quality of life.
💡Medication
Medication is a term used to describe drugs or chemicals used to treat or prevent disease. Mandel states that he is medicated for OCD, indicating that he uses prescribed drugs as part of his treatment plan to manage his symptoms.
💡Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by a person's striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high standards for themselves. In the script, Mandel clarifies that while some people might self-identify as perfectionists because they like cleanliness or order, OCD is a much more severe and debilitating condition.
💡Ultimatum
An ultimatum is a final offer or statement of terms upon which one is prepared to act, and which is intended to settle a matter. Mandel's wife gave him an ultimatum to seek help for his OCD, which led to his eventual diagnosis and treatment.
💡Mental Health
Mental health refers to the state of an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. The video emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health openly and seeking help, as Mandel did, to improve one's quality of life.
💡App (noCD)
An app, short for application, is a software program designed to perform a specific function. In the script, Mandel mentions 'noCD' as an app that provides affordable and accessible mental health services, specifically for OCD, and is covered by insurance. It represents a modern approach to mental health care.
💡Professional Help
Professional help refers to assistance provided by experts in a particular field. Mandel emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help for OCD from experts in the field, rather than just any therapist or psychiatrist, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
💡Awareness
Awareness refers to the state or condition of being conscious of or having knowledge about something. Howie Mandel's mission in the video is to raise awareness about OCD, its impact on individuals, and the importance of seeking help without fear of stigma.
Highlights

Howie Mandel discusses his experience with OCD and the journey to his diagnosis.

OCD is described as having uncontrollable recurring thoughts or behaviors.

Mandel talks about the stigma and lack of understanding surrounding mental health, especially during his younger years.

He shares how his wife's ultimatum led to his eventual diagnosis of OCD at the age of 40.

Mandel emphasizes the importance of talking about mental health and breaking the stigma.

He accidentally revealed his OCD diagnosis on Howard Stern's show, leading to a sense of relief and connection with others.

Mandel is now on a mission to help others with OCD by sharing his story and experiences.

He discusses the challenges of seeking help for OCD and the difficulty in finding the right professional.

Mandel has partnered with an app called 'noCD' to provide affordable and accessible help for those with OCD.

The 'noCD' app is designed to connect people with professionals who specialize in OCD treatment.

Mandel highlights the need for mental health to be treated with the same importance as physical health.

He shares personal anecdotes about his struggles with OCD from childhood to adulthood.

Mandel discusses the impact of OCD on his daily life and relationships.

He calls for a change in societal attitudes towards mental health issues, advocating for open conversation.

Mandel's goal is to make mental health discussions as normal as talking about physical health concerns.

He encourages those struggling with OCD or mental health issues to seek help and utilize resources like 'noCD'.

Transcripts

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Howie MandelOCD AwarenessMental HealthPersonal StoryStigma BreakerTherapy SupportApp RecommendationMisdiagnosisHealth AdvocacySelf-Care