Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that can affect anyone. and there are so many famous people with OCD in the world today. The word OCD came into use in 1941, but the disorder itself predates its name. Famous people such as Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Michelangelo, Ludwig Van Beethoven were diagnosed posthumously.
Experts describe OCD as an anxiety disorder that is characterized by a recurring compulsion or obsession that takes time and causes significant distress. These actions are recognized by the data subject as unreasonable or excessive. Obsession can range from contamination fears to sexual orientation and obsessions, intentional or accidental harm to self and others, symmetry and accuracy, religious, pedophile, etc.
The compulsion can also range from counting and repeating, to checking, cleaning and grooming, mental rituals, ordering and organizing, etc.
Typically, a person with this disorder has deep anxiety that brings up thoughts that bother them, called obsessions. Some find relief by repeating particular rituals called compulsions. This disorder has a serious impact on their life, but there are different ways to manage the disease and lead a successful life. Famous people living with OCD can attest to this.
OCD has been listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the leading causes of disability. There is a lot of stigma in the public, so people who suffer from it usually hide their disease. Some celebrities suffering from the disorder have had the courage to speak out about it. Here is a list of 10 famous people with OCD.
Famous people living with OCD
1.David Beckham
Former football star David Beckham is one of the famous people with OCD. He opened up about his illness in 2006 during a television interview with ITV1. He admitted he had the strength to have everything in pairs or in a straight line. He sometimes arranges books and leaflets in a hotel room before he can relax. Everything must be perfect. He confesses that he has tried to break the cycle of this repetitive behavior, but can’t seem to stop.
His wife, Victoria Beckham, calls him a “crackpot”. In an interview, she admits that their refrigerator is coordinated and arranged symmetrically. If there are 3 cans in the refrigerator, he throws away one, since they must be in pairs and even in number.
2. Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba is a famous American actress who has featured in lots of movies and TV series. Her first television appearance was when she was 13, although she shot to fame at 19 with her starring role in ‘Dark Angel’ and her Golden Globe nomination.
She reveals that she has struggled with OCD since she was 10 years old. Her rise to stardom has helped her better manage the disease, but she’s not shy about talking about it. Jessica had a hard time living with her illness but chose to focus on the positive aspects of her illness. She claims that her drive to do things right helps her to do her best in everything she does.
She shares an incident where Cash Warren (her then boyfriend now husband) filled her hotel room with 200 balloons as a surprise for her birthday. At first she was thrilled and loved it, but soon she started to feel anxious and they had to call the cleaning service to clean it.
Alba seems to have overcome most of her anxiety issues although she still has the compulsion to unplug all household appliances every time she leaves the house or check all doors to make sure they are securely locked. . She describes the feeling of panic that compels her to do or control something.
3.Leonardo DiCaprio
Savvy and savvy American actor and producer Leonardo DiCaprio is never one to walk halfway. He is known for his realistic way of portraying all the characters he takes on. He has been nominated multiple times and has won three Golden Globe Awards, a British Academy Film Award, an Academy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He rose to international prominence with his portrayal in Titanic (1997), which was the first film to achieve top gross at that time.
After playing an OCD (Howard Hughes) character in The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio admitted that his battle with OCD had resumed and he had to keep telling himself how ridiculous it was to step on every chewing spot. gum or backing up 20 feet to step on something. He played the role so well that he began to give in to his own compulsions and possibly even induce a severe form of OCD.
4. Donald Trump
The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is one of the few popular people to have spoken openly about his OCD. Before becoming president, he admitted to having a phobia of germs, which makes it very difficult for him to shake hands with people. He also admits to washing his hands as often as possible and drinking from a straw to avoid contamination.
Jimmy Kimmel recently made a video to show the president’s OCD tendencies. As the video shows, President Trump obsessively moves objects when seated at a table or desk. It can be a notebook, a cup of coffee, a glass, paper or a pen.
5. Megan Fox
Megan Fox is a well-known actress and model who has spoken about her various insecurities with her self-image, self-esteem, and OCD tendencies. She admits to having a healthy and balanced childhood at home, but was bullied at school because of her aggressive personality and her friendship with boys.
Her anxiety idiosyncrasies involve the use of public restrooms which she says releases a lot of germs when flushing, and the use of cutlery in a restaurant. She struggles to place her mouth where more than a million might have been taken, given the amount of bacteria in her mouth.
6. Billy Bob Thornton
The eccentric and multi-talented actor, musician, filmmaker, songwriter and singer has revealed that his OCD stems from his difficult childhood. In a 2004 interview with The Independent, Billy Thornton admitted to having a phobia for antiques, particularly French silverware which is large and old. He is also forced to constantly calculate mathematics. Certain numbers symbolize certain people to him, so he cannot use them in certain circumstances. Thornton admits his condition can be very exhausting.
7.Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz is a retired American actress who is best known for her appearances in comedy genre films. Forbes ranked her in 2010 as the richest female celebrity and 60th in the 100 richest but regardless of her wealth and fame, Cameron Diaz still suffers from OCD.
She has a particular obsession with doorknobs which she believes to be germ infested. She sometimes opens the doors with her elbow to avoid touching them. Cameron admits cleaning the doorknobs in his house to such an extent that the original paint has faded. She also washes her hands several times a day.
Also, Diaz uses the “Transcendental Meditation Technique,” which makes her life easier.
8. Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is also one of the most famous people with OCD and the versatile actor, singer-songwriter and record producer has been vocal about his battle with the disease. He has a David Beckham-like condition with his obsession with doubling down on things. He also wants his fridge stocked with certain things. Justin says he’s obsessed with cleanliness in general and can spend hours lining things up perfectly.
9. Charlize Theron
The South African-American actress has received several awards for her outstanding performances. She retained her South African nationality when she became an American citizen in 2007 and was named one of the most influential people in the world.
Charlize Theron is one of the famous people with OCD. She has an obsession with cleanliness. Its environment must be organized and tidy, otherwise it will disturb it. She sometimes lay awake, worried about messy cupboards or misplaced things.
In her appearance on The Ellen Show with EllenDegeneres, she confesses that being a mother, especially sharing her home with her son and daughter, has eased her symptoms. She reveals that she gave up some rooms but her children are allowed anywhere in their house. She just learned to be less anxious about unimportant things and to stay happy.
10. Howie Mandel
Comedian and actor Howie Mandel is one of the few celebrities who have spoken openly about mental health. He believes that stigma will continue to keep people from getting help and talking about OCD. Howard suffers from different obsessions ranging from his pathological fear of being contaminated with germs and being unable to shake hands with anyone unless he is wearing a latex glove. He poked fun at his illness and revealed that his shaved head was not because of hair loss, but because it makes him look cleaner. He has a smaller house built behind his main house, where he goes in solitude, especially when a family member is sick.
He admitted to being afraid of public bathrooms and cannot use any other than his own. Howard also admits to having struggled with OCD since childhood, but was unable to ask for help until he became an adult.