Eddie Murphy Details His Journey with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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Eddie Murphy knows he has layers.

Mike Myers, known for his role in Shrek, recently shared details about his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He explained that OCD often involves unwanted, fearful thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors, and that he noticed these tendencies starting in his childhood.

In his new Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, Eddie described a strange habit he used to have. “I didn’t understand what was happening,” he said. “I’d repeatedly check the kitchen stove to make sure the gas was turned off. I’d check it, lie down for a few minutes, get up and check it again, and then repeat the process – going back and forth between the stove and bed multiple times.”

The pattern, the comedian recalled, would last for about an hour and was repeated every night.

He explained it simply, saying, ‘It’s just a strange habit I have.’ He also mentioned that his mother was unaware of what was happening.

Eddie didn’t realize his actions meant something more until he was simply watching television one day.

He described watching a news report about OCD and realizing, ‘Oh, that’s what I’ve been doing!’ It made him think, ‘Oh, so this is a mental illness?’

Eddie explained that understanding his actions might be linked to a mental health condition was what finally helped him stop the behavior.

He explained that he consciously decided to stop the behavior. He’d told himself, ‘I’m done with this.’ He initially thought he was just strange, and didn’t realize he might be struggling with a mental health issue. He dismissed the idea of mental illness, saying, ‘That’s ridiculous,’ and pushed himself to break the habit.

Although Eddie Murphy, who has ten children, managed to stop smoking abruptly as a kid, he confessed he still occasionally has cravings.

He admitted he still checks the gas every night. Occasionally, though, he’ll check it a second time, firmly telling it, ‘No way are you starting up again. It’s time to go to bed.’

You know, while making the documentary, I started thinking about how even challenges can have a silver lining. Eddie actually shared something really insightful – he believes his OCD, and the incredible attention to detail that comes with it, might have actually helped him become a successful comedian. It’s a fascinating thought – that what we perceive as a struggle could also be a secret strength!

He explained that a good sense of humor really comes down to having a strong sense of perspective. Someone with a knack for comedy is simply observant and notices things others miss.

As for accepting himself where he’s at, Eddie has a simple answer.

As he explained in the documentary, his self-love has always been his priority. He stated, “I love myself. Always loved myself. That’s the most important thing.”

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to see Being Eddie! It’s like, a total deep dive into Eddie Murphy’s life – from when he was starting out doing stand-up, to his days on Saturday Night Live, and then becoming this huge movie star. But it’s not just about his career, it’s personal. They actually followed him around, even inside his house, which he’s never let anyone do before! It’s amazing to finally see what he’s really like.

In a recent interview with Tudum, he explained that the documentary helps people understand his journey. He said many young people might assume he instantly found success in Hollywood, but the film shows the reality – offering viewers a first look at the hard work and experiences that shaped his career.

For more stars who have gotten candid about their mental health journeys like Eddie, read on. 

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He stated he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, along with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.

He explained that his wife was pregnant with their son, and he worried about the impact raising a family would have on his mental health. He feared a severe mental health episode that he might not recover from, so he proactively began therapy and sought support.

I was really struck by what the former Gossip Girl star shared recently. He talked about struggling with body dysmorphia as a kid, and it was so brave of him to open up about that. It really shed light on the pressures young actors face, and it was honestly heartbreaking to hear about his experience.

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn revealed they used to strongly dislike their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, he gained weight and then entered a phase where he actively sought to improve his appearance. He felt that being seen as more attractive would lead to greater success and make him feel more valued, especially as he was emerging from a period of depression and isolation.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He said that overcoming his disappointments and personal struggles enabled him to return to his work with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted that food was her biggest weakness and she engaged in extreme behaviors because of it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

Back when she was 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar and alcohol and starting yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She later told Bon Appétit in 2017 that these habits were more effective than any medication like Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with food and body image, which she described as a genuine challenge. However, she’s working to overcome these issues and improve her physical health through a healthy diet.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about, even with those closest to you. She explained that she personally feels she should be able to handle it, and admitting she can’t feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about protecting her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that patience is the most important thing. She emphasized being kind to yourself and not rushing any decisions. She explained that giving things time can help difficult feelings pass.

As people adjusted to social distancing to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” shared how challenging these kinds of situations can be emotionally.

She shared on Twitter that it’s often hard to decide whether dealing with the virus or the resulting feelings of sadness is more difficult. Katy explained she copes by retreating to her car, which has become her sanctuary since there aren’t many other places she feels safe going.

The model discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America. She partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to help promote awareness for The Mental Health Coalition.

After her panic attacks started happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.

Kendall shared that she experiences a mix of good and anxious days, which is why she wanted to get involved with this cause. Her main goal is to help people feel less isolated and alone.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who starred in Black Adam, has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.

Everyone experiences difficult times and feelings of sadness – it doesn’t matter who you are. It took me a while to understand this, but it’s important to not be afraid to talk about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings to themselves, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his experiences made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re not alone.”

The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional help and has publicly discussed her experiences with depression. She’s shared that therapy is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “I have a therapist that I speak to. That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began a treatment using MDMA and psilocybin therapy to cope with both an eating disorder and performance anxiety, which she described as similar to PTSD.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that she experienced touring without any nervousness for the first time. She described a strange, shared physical sensation with the audience – almost like a change in air pressure – that felt deeply connected to the music. It helped her understand how much she thrives on and needs that powerful, emotional connection with her listeners to truly feel her music come alive.

She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control led her to a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained she felt a need to stop taking birth control, as if it had severed a connection to traditional expectations of womanhood. It might sound unusual, but she felt liberated from those expectations, and believed that freedom allowed her to explore new possibilities.

In a 2017 Instagram post, the Riverdale actress shared that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She encouraged others to seek help, emphasizing that it’s a crucial first step and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind the song “What He Didn’t Do” has been open about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began around the time of her divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

For the last decade, I really got used to just bottling things up and pushing through, but a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to get back into therapy. I had to start unpacking everything that was going on. It’s funny, people seem to think this is a recent thing, but honestly, I’ve been dealing with OCD since I was a little kid – like, six or seven years old. It’s been a long journey of learning to understand it.

The actress known for Frozen has openly shared her mental health coping strategies for years, both in public speaking engagements and on social media platforms like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she shared with Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for every negative thought, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, a condition many new mothers face but often feel unable to discuss.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became increasingly comfortable for her to talk about her experience. Her hope was to show others that this could happen to anyone and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara shared with the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself, and after a long journey, she’s now able to be happy on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter about her own therapy. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on multiple occasions.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to live with constant pain, and it is possible to heal from trauma. She admitted she has a lot of work ahead of her, but said simply recognizing that healing is possible is a good first step.

The singer has openly shared her struggles and recovery related to addiction, mental health, and other personal challenges, and often incorporates these experiences into her songs.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous journey with inevitable setbacks. She once shared on Instagram, “To anyone who’s struggling: life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has bravely tackled mental health both on-screen, like in her role as Rue in the show Euphoria, and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety following a problematic appearance on Ellen, where her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that it’s sometimes necessary to take a break to reduce stress.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of great elation followed by weeks of debilitating lows.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

In 2018, while accepting the Global Changemakers Award at a fundraiser, she shared that she’d kept her struggles with mental health private for a long time. She explained that she now believes keeping those issues hidden actually makes things worse, stating, ‘Secrets keep you sick.’

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2025-11-12 23:51