America’s Got Talent judge, Howie Mandel admits he struggles with drugs and often describes himself as ‘pharmaceutically numbed.’ At 69, the entertainer no longer feels the need to hide his health struggles and frequently boldly speaks out about his struggles.
In 2023, Howie Mandel shared that at age 40, he was diagnosed with OCD, also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. In the beginning, he often joked about his struggles. However, nearly three decades later, Mandel reveals the seriousness of his condition.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a serious mental health condition or disease. It is characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that significantly interfere with daily life.
However, for Howie Mandel, it is a health struggle that has left him heavily relying on his daily medication. Following three decades of daily use, he reveals the medication has drained him emotionally. It also leaves him feeling “numb” and “dead inside.“
During a recent appearance, The Magnificent Others podcast host Billy Corgon commented on Howie Mandel’s positive role as a comedian throughout his long career. However, according to Radar Online, Howie disagrees.
Howie Mandel In Survival Mode
Mandel admits he has reached the place where he is in survival mode. it has been “either survive or take medication.” Corgon attempted to make light of Mandel’s response, offering to have him return unmedicated later.
However, according to Mandel, he can no longer go throughout the day without his meds. “I don’t know that I could make it back without the meds. I need the meds. There are times I don’t feel pain, I don’t feel fear. I’m kind of dead inside. My family complains about it. I’m pharmaceutically numbed so that I don’t go all over the place,” Howie shares.
The America’s Got Talent judge credits his family for forcing him to seek help, especially his wife Terry. He says, before the diagnosis, he was making his family miserable. He was constantly freaking out and forcing them to spray things down.
Finally, things got too much for Terry Mandel and she forced her husband to seek help, or else that was it. Howie admits at first getting diagnosed with OCD was embarrassing for him. But it soon became comforting. He reveals there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan
However, with the proper medication, therapy, and the support of his family, it has become mostly manageable. Some days are worse than others, but he has learned to cope and move forward.
At the end of the interview, Howie Mandel jokes to ease the tension, adding that he is doing okay, especially since at this point, he can still pay the rent.
