• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast
You are here: Home / Dad / Family helps Howie Mandel cope with OCD

Family helps Howie Mandel cope with OCD

December 5, 2009 by James Dunsford Leave a Comment

Comedian Howie Mandel says he’s constantly "tortured" by his struggles with both obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but that his wife and kids have helped him through the years.

"My wife and kids have had to cope throughout the years with my idiosyncrasies. It’s a tightrope. All of us have gone through therapy," he told USA Today. "I don’t think there’s anyone alive that doesn’t need coping skills when you’re married. They have always loved and supported me. But even with all that support and love it’s still incredibly hard, sometimes terrifying and dark."

The Deal or No Deal host said his fear of germs even made it impossible for him to take his toddler daughter into a public restroom.

"The difference between you and me is that even when I wash my hands, I can’t get it out of my mind that they’re not clean. I have to go back to the sink, I can’t even continue with my day," he said.

Mandel recently released a new book titled Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me. He’s been married for 30 years to his wife, Terry. They have three kids – Jackie, 25, Alex, 20 and Riley, 17.

"I have had the best family – my parents and grandparents, my wife and kids, nothing but love and support and strength and intelligence," he told the newspaper.ADNFCR-1662-ID-19491021-ADNFCR

Filed Under: Dad

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks
Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

165. Principles of Successful Parenting with Meir Ezra
byPaul Banas

In this episode, I’m thrilled to have spiritual entrepreneur and philanthropist Meir Ezra join me to talk about the principles of effective parenting. We dive into how insights from entrepreneurship and human behavior apply to raising kids. Meir shares incredible stories and actionable advice on handling parenting challenges, fostering self-determination in children, and maintaining strong family relationships. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation.

Check out Meir’s website at gprosperity.com

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC

50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50

165. Principles of Successful Parenting with Meir Ezra
165. Principles of Successful Parenting with Meir Ezra
November 11, 2025
Paul Banas
164. Navigating Girl Dad Challenges with Oscar Peña
November 4, 2025
Paul Banas
163. Empowering Young Adults After Graduation with Evan Sanchez
October 21, 2025
Paul Banas
162. Building Stronger Parent Child Relationships with Anil Gupta
October 14, 2025
Paul Banas
161. Building Meaningful Dad Connections with David Homan
October 7, 2025
Paul Banas
160. Surviving High Conflict Divorce with Alex Dane
September 30, 2025
Paul Banas
159. How to Maximize College Financial Aid with Paul Compeau
September 16, 2025
Paul Banas
158. Rethinking Education with Matt Bowman
September 9, 2025
Paul Banas
157. Understanding Teen Anxiety with Dr. Jack Hinman
September 2, 2025
Paul Banas
156. Navigating the Empty Nest with David Campbell
August 27, 2025
Paul Banas
Search Results placeholder

More to See

Empowering Young Adults After Graduation with Evan Sanchez

November 10, 2025 By Paul Banas

Building Stronger Parent-Child Relationships with Anil Gupta

November 9, 2025 By Paul Banas

Copyright © 2025 . GreatDad