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Howie Mandel wears a surgical mask and rubber gloves to a book signing for his memoir "Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me" at Barnes & Noble in New York, Tuesday, December 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes) |
Howie Mandel sat down with Larry King and shed light on a subject not frequently talked about: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder otherwise known as OCD. Howie Mandel revealed his fears, some of his habits, and discussed his new book “Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me.”
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is described as an anxiety disorder that is associated with compulsive behavior, obsessions, and rituals. The obsessions are often identified as unwelcome, persistent, and recurring thoughts and compulsions refer to behaviors or practices that the individual repeats.
Those with OCD generally become more anxious if they fail to perform their ‘rituals’ or compulsive behaviors. One typical compulsive behavior seen in many with OCD is frequent hand washing.
As Howie Mandel sat for the interview, it was apparent that something was different, for those who are unfamiliar with Howie, he refuses to shake hands with people for fear of catching germs. He states that it is more than the typical fear that others experience, or that is even associated with the frequent hand washing and use of germ sanitizers to prevent the H1N1 virus. Howie Mandel described living in a constant state of anxiety full of fear and dread that he might come in contact with germs. He stated that he is terrorized by the thought of getting germs on his hands. He described former encounters when he would shake someone’s hand and the reactions that followed, prompted by the OCD.
“And on those times when I was triggered, I would go in and I'd scald my hand and wash it and then come back out. And I can't even focus or concentrate. And I'd go back in again and again. And the whole ...my whole evening and my whole day would be centered around just trying to get whatever it is I imagined on my hand off.”
Howie Mandel isn’t alone in his battle with OCD. The National Institute for Mental Health states that approximately 2.2 million Americans suffer from the disorder.
For more information on OCD please visit Web MD here
Comments
There are scientifically based treatments for OCD. I hope that Mr. Mandel helps others by getting help for himself. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) a form of behavior therapy has been shown by numerous research studies to decrease symptoms and sometimes elimiante OCD. Take care.
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