'OCD is Ruining My Life' & 'Howie Mandel'
Thursday, August 30, 2012
A woman tortured by her obsessive-compulsive disorder sits down with Anderson to reveal how she is losing her life to this crippling disease. Debilitated by her inability to gain control of her condition, those closest to her beg her to get treatment. Can an "Anderson" intervention be her saving grace, or will she refuse the help being offered?
Plus, 30-year showbiz veteran Howie Mandel stops by to have a candid conversation about how his own OCD impacted his life, both personally and professionally.
Howie also talks about his new show, "Mobbed," and helps Anderson pull off the show's biggest surprise to date: a surprise flash mob wedding proposal!
Filed Under: Episodes
Comments
Is there a follow-up on this woman?
I was touched by Jennifer's story when she first appeared with Cooper, but I saw her again on Dr. Phil today. I empathize with a true sufferer, but I have a hard time watching people do the talk show circuit.
My husband has suffered with O.C.D. for most of his life. He is unable to work, or function as a normal human being. He has tried medications and therapy but has lost faith in both. We have been married for 30 years and I have watched this man go from a hard working person with a large social circle to being afraid to go outside of our house because he may come accross something or someone that he percieves to "dirty" and this throws him into a panic attack. Which then drive him to multiple showers and on very bad days throwing aways clothes and shoes. I would love to find help for him that would finally bring some happiness to his life. Where is this place in Arizona? At this point we are willing to try anything our resouces are very limited since my husband is disable due to this illness.
To Dexter Douglaswho posted this
"@ Chris, Thousands of people suffer with this disease. She was on a national television show, and was offered help. Checked out the next day. FREELOADER. All signs points to I am not going to change, I like my parents taking care of me. I work closely with individuals who really need help funds are not available for the help. Anderson Cooper offered her a chance of a life time FREE. Call me what you will. If you look at her eyes and expression she doesn't want help...just attention. She got it."
Dexter if you truly work with people who have similar problems and you are as sensitive as you appear here I doubt you can help anyone.She is sick and has been for many years. Beside having OCD she is obviously anorexic.You can't work in this field or close to such people as you have no grasp on the situation apparently.People like Jennifer tend to resist help but it doesn't mean she's faking it.Her family can't give up on her.
to Shelly Smith who said the following:
"Why are you badgering this poor girl about ocd. SOunds like the parents are badgering her and making her this way. One hour a day, so, big deal. 4-5 small meals per day. Doctor's recomend that . To sit next to that woman and tell her that suicide is in her future is crazy. What the hell. WHo made them god. Maybe if she were not so stressed out, she would get better."
Are you kidding? This is not just about her eating and excercise regime. She lives her life 24/7 doing rituals.Did you miss this somehow? She is the one who said she is tired of living like this and wants to "be an angel."Of course her parents say things to her-they want to get her help to have a real life for her not them. She can't work,have friends a social life. She's depressed and overwhelmed. She is not sleeping because shes always checking.It's like you didn't even watch the show.
Wow, this really hit home for me and my family. OCD is the most debilitating Mental Disorder there is. My daughter is 14 and we have been dealing with this issue for almost 3 years now. It is so sad to watch someone you love so much have to go throught this. We have been to numerous Psychiatrists and Therapists and different meds but nothing seems to help. It can destroy the whole family. I pray every night for a miracle. So she can have a normal life. Not have to worry about routines and such. I don't think people are aware of all the heartache that comes with OCD for the patient and thier families.
My daughter is 14 and has suffered with OCD for 2 years now. It is such a horrible disorder. We have been to numerous Pychiatrists and Therapists and many different meds. But nothing to seems to help. I feel very sad for her and afraid for her because nothing seems to help. It really can tear your family apart. She is such a lovely young lady and smart and very athletic. She could do so much if this horrible disorder didnt hold her back. Simple tasks can sometimes take a hour or more. So many routines and rituals and most of them do not make any since. I would welcome any advice anyone can give.
I have been thinking about this show all night. I have this disorder and have it under control with medication and past behavior therapy. I have also had issues with eating disorders in the past, which seems to be quite evident in Jennifer's case. The comment I wanted to make to Jennifer was that she and her mother have both been praying for help. THIS IS THE HELP YOU NEED! I think Jennifer's fear of not being able to work out an hour a day is directly related to an eating disorder/fear of gaining weight which must be addressed with the OCD. Jennifer, If you read this board, PLEASE go for the help! I have been through all of this and there is light on the other side. God Bless, Jenn
from the OCD ep.... To Jeniffer- I wanted to write you to let you know how much I understand and can relate to your feelings of sadness and pain - that all too familiar feeling of drowning, it's like choking on the inside all the time I know! - and while I don't have OCD I do suffer from depression. somedays I just sleep, I can't seem to pull myself out of it.somedays I can't eat while others - I pig out...wanting to find something to get my mind off of it, something to make me feel better. I always feel losted in my head, always seem to feel not good enough, just thinking what's wrong with me? why can't I be normal, why do I think like this?!! - it's hard - just wanting it all to be over... I know!...But somehow I make it though another day - and seeing someone like you on TV, made me somehow feel not as alone! so lf you are reading this I just want you to know that you've help me today and I just wanted you to know that! I'm praying for you...Jeniffer!!!!
This message is for "Jennifer" (individual with OCD on today's episode of Anderson). I too suffer from acute OCD and have for over 35yrs...my biggest concern is the individuals that represent/are running the programs suggested to help treat your situation, as they haven't the foggist idea of what is going to help you. This was made abundantly clear in viewing their responces to your answers regarding your specific situation. I realize "you don't know me from Adam" but I would highly recommend you try to research support groups in your area where, not only the group members but, also to be sure the group's instructor is also coping with the same diagnosis(OCD) otherwise I do not see the treatment being effective otherwise...I have been in and out of treatment for OCD over the years, and no matter what bull that these programs are feeding out to you, they cannot fully understand the magnitude of your daily suffering... I promise you that! Only, when another individual has "walked a mile in your shoes" will they properly understand, hence, be able to help treat your current situation effectivly. I wouldn't leave a post if I didn't think this information would help. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I hope you have a follow up show with info about her. So sad.
I have a daughter whom the doctor diagnosed with OCD. She was a teenager when she started pulling her hair out. It was so sad to see, she is beautiful with long blound hair.She is an adult now and still styles her hair to always cover the top. I finqally talked her into going for counseling but it wasn't much help. She is still a bit of a perfectionist, however she has been working with a sheltie dog rescue and now owns 5 of them. She finally realized her house could not be as perfect as it was when it wasn't full of animals. However it still looks better than mine,
Has this poor girl tried any medications? My 36 year old son was diagnosed with OCD 10 years ago after his father died. He is on a lot of psych meds...they help, but don't make him 100% better. My hope is he will eventually be able to live on his own and at least work part-time. Mental illness sticks...it robs people of the ability to live a normal life, and it impacts families and friends. I wish her well.
My heart goes out to "Jennifer". It must be horrible living with OCD. However, it greatly upset me when she told her mother to stop hugging her. Perhaps Jennifer should consider that her mother needs to hug her. Her mother is also in pain!!!!!! Anyway, I thought that was extremely cold and uncaring. I really feel bad for her mother!!!!!!
how is Jennifer today? She refused treatment in February but has she made any progress in overcoming her OCD since then?