Leonardo DiCaprio manages his chronic mental health struggle with a simple five-word phrase
LOS ANGELES, CLAIFORNIA: Leonardo DiCaprio, 50, has revealed the five-word phrase that helped him navigate his health battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder - a condition he has faced through much of his adult life.
While the 'Titanic' star has graced the screen for over 35 years and earned numerous accolades, his journey has been far from easy.
One of the challenges he’s confronted in life is his mental health condition that has at times disrupted his work on set, adding a personal layer to his already extraordinary career.
How is Leonardo DiCaprio coping with OCD?
Leonardo DiCaprio first addressed his struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder while filming 'The Aviator' in 2004.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD is a chronic condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and repetitive behaviors. People with OCD often experience time-consuming symptoms that cause significant distress or disrupt daily life.
During the filming of 'The Aviator', in which DiCaprio portrayed the famous OCD sufferer Howard Hughes, the actor's own experiences with the disorder influenced his performance, as per Unilad.
In a candid 2005 interview, 'The Revenant' actor revealed how his OCD manifested, saying, "My thing was not stepping on cracks, or not stepping on certain things. Sometimes it took me 10 minutes to get to the set because I'd be pacing back and forth, stepping on gum stains."
DiCaprio also shared how he manages his condition, offering hope to others facing similar struggles: “I have a well-organised life and I’ve put a lot of thought into the things that I do, and then… I’ll just be sitting there, totally anxious about something ridiculous. You have to stop yourself during the say and say: ‘It’s just not worth it’.”
Leonardo DiCaprio refused to let OCD control his life
Despite battling OCD, Leonardo DiCaprio emphasized that he refused to let the disorder control his life while speaking about his health condition.
He shared, "I'm able to say at some point, 'Ok, you're being ridiculous, stop stepping on every gum stain you see'."
'Titanic' star added, "You don't need to do that. You don't need to walk 20ft back and put your foot on that thing. Nothing bad is going to happen."
DiCaprio, whose films have grossed billions worldwide, including hits like 'Inception', also recalled how he immersed himself in the mindset of his character, as per Express.
The Hollywood Legend shared, "I let it all go and never listened to the other voice. I remember my make-up artist and assistant walking me to the set going, ‘Oh God, we’re going to need 10 minutes to get him there because he has to walk back and step on that thing, touch that door and walk in and out again."
It’s worth noting that while the exact cause of OCD remains unclear, medical professionals believe that a combination of factors may contribute to the condition.
