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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

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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

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How does humor shape a happy family? In this episode of Great Dad Talks, explore the power of laughter in parenting with director, creative, and dad of four, Gavin Bellour. Gavin shares stories from both his advertising career—featuring celebrities like Jason Biggs, Martha Stewart, and Norm Macdonald—and his life as a father trying to find joy, even amid chaos.

From embracing dad jokes to making humor an essential family value, we discuss the challenges and hilarity of parenthood. We cover playful family rituals, the importance of laughing at yourself, and practical tips on bringing more humor—and less stress—into your home.

Check out Gavin’s website at www.gavinbellour.com

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