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

I got diagnosed with OCD 18 years ago as a teenage. Spent my whole life fighting OCD. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my son recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

Howie and his daughter have absolutely NO IDEA how helpful speaking so honestly is, for people like me. Mine is not OCD, it is C-PTSD. Thank all of you for this video. You have no idea how freeing this is to and for me.

I love when famous people talk about mental health, they have no idea how much this can help someone.

The first time I have ever heard a genuine explanation from someone that truly has OCD. No one can talk about OCD unless you have true OCD which destroys your life.

I have suffered from SEVERE OCD my entire life. I have had panic attacks, Complex PTSD, severe anxiety and major depression. I mean, I would wash hands till they burned, do endless rituals till I got sick, urinate in cups, absurd things. Became suicidal. But I do my best to help myself everyday, I overcame alot. Let me tell you at some point, it takes a realization that life is so short and if you do not enjoy it and your loved ones, you will regret it and that regret is worse than germs. My father died and I regret so much, the sorrow is so great, and I cannot ALLOW OCD to take away from me the joy of my husband and family anymore. And by Gods power and my renewing my mind, I'm overcoming. We have more power than we think we do over ocd. Don't be a victum.

Both of my young adult children have diagnosed OCD and anxiety. It is such an incredibly misunderstood disorder, and much more complex than being a ‘clean freak’ or ‘perfectionist’. When my youngest first developed intrusive thoughts, it was so stressful and upsetting for her that she had a nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized.

You are my hero. I suffer from severe anxiety. I am 65 and still struggle. We learn to cope.

Ocd is a very mean affliction. My 24 yr old son diagnosed at age 7. It is horrifying to watch and you feel hopeless because you cannot really help. People that say ' im a little ocd' have NO clue. Howie and daughter are doing a great service for society.

It was the worst thing that ever happened to me.. I'm a professor and I couldn't work because of anxiety, couldn't remember things, couldn't concentrate, couldn't drive my car because of fear.... I compiled a few things that have been working on me.. Hopefully it will work out for someone else ❤

Thank you Howie & Jackie for bring Mental Health issues out to the Public. I don't feel so alone. I have Anxiety & Depression issues..as well as learning issues. But I have a very supportive family

I've always loved that Howie was public about his struggles. My family has a history of mental health struggles so it's kinda nice to have a celebrity share theirs to help break the stigma attached.

I never thought he had the same issues as I have in my life.Alot is from traumatic events from the past.Anxiety is a tough problem,panic attacks are rough.

I have been a fan of Howie for so many years. I love that man. He is adorable and funny. His daughter is beautiful.

It's so nice seeing someone so successful be this open about mental health. It's not too uncommon to see popular or wealthy people mention it, but it's seldom anything this in-depth and earnest

Yes I agree mental health should be treated like getting a yearly physical. So beneficial in keeping check on our coping skills or any kind of anxiety that hits us.

Its good to know others are out there experiencing this and I'm not alone. Severe anxiety + OCD is exhausting, frustrating, can and DOES affect my life on a daily basis in a negative way. It has cost me friends and family. It helps just knowing others out there understand how horrible this can be. Be well, everyone.

Of many conditions I have, I have OCD and it's a monster. I feel like it's controlling my life. Thank you for speaking out Howie

"They as a comedian if you can make one person laugh, you are doing your job. What people don't realize, the person I'm trying to make laugh, is me" Oh Howie thanks for being so relatable.

I have had agoraphobia since a teenager panic attacks and depression plus lots of other stuff. Trapped in a prison cell of my own mind .. I would not wish this on my worst enemy! Not many know my illness I am a great actress. It’s amazing how I have lied all my life to hide my mental health issues. My kids don’t even really understand the suffering I have daily. I have tried hard to look in control. Protecting my family. They all have anxiety issues though I swear it’s genetic. My life is a roller coaster.

My daughter has OCD and social anxiety disorder. She is only 12 and it is so hard to witness her suffering! We have sought out professional help and she is doing so much better now. I am so grateful to the people that our youth look up to, who share the same struggles.