Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Howie Mandel’s Wife Urged Therapy as OCD Symptoms Worsened
Howie Mandel has talked about having OCD, which is more complicated than simply disliking germs.
OCD can cause upsetting thoughts that will not go away.
It can also make people repeat actions or thoughts to feel less anxious.
These actions might include washing, checking, counting, arranging things or asking for reassurance.
Stress, including the COVID-19 pandemic, can make symptoms worse.
Mandel’s wife, Terry, noticed how much he was struggling and encouraged him to get help.
OCD is treatable with therapy, medicine or both, depending on the person.
People should seek professional help when OCD interferes with everyday life, relationships or work.
OCD is not a failure of willpower.
Howie Mandel’s obsessive-compulsive disorder intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His wife, Terry Mandel, encouraged him to seek professional help as his symptoms worsened.
OCD involves intrusive thoughts or urges and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals.
Unlike ordinary cleanliness concerns, OCD can consume time, cause distress and disrupt daily life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, especially Exposure and Response Prevention, and prescribed medication can treat OCD.
- Who
- Howie Mandel, his wife Terry Mandel, and psychiatrist Dr Abhinit Kumar.
- What
- Mandel’s worsening OCD prompted his wife to encourage therapy, while a psychiatrist explained the condition, warning signs and treatments.
- When
- His symptoms intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic; no specific dates are given.
- Where
- The article discusses Mandel’s experience and cites Dr Abhinit Kumar of ShardaCare-HealthCity.
- Why
- Terry Mandel believed his symptoms had become severe enough to require professional help.
- Condition
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves unwanted obsessions and compulsions or mental rituals.
- Public image
- Mandel has been widely known as a germaphobe.
- Worsening factor
- Stress, anxiety and major life changes can intensify OCD symptoms.
- Possible symptoms
- Checking, washing, arranging, counting, reassurance-seeking and intrusive thoughts can occur.
- Therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention, is an effective treatment.
- Medication
- Doctors may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors depending on individual circumstances.
- When to seek help
- Professional care is important when symptoms are difficult to control, distressing, time-consuming or disruptive.