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Eddie Murphy Opens Up About Lifelong ‍Battle with OCD and teh Power⁢ of Self-Love

Eddie Murphy recently revealed he has lived with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since childhood, a condition he initially attempted to suppress due to societal stigma. He described realizing his behaviors were linked to a mental illness and making a conscious effort to stop. “That’s what I do, I do things like that,”⁤ he explained, recalling his⁤ initial reaction. “When I saw that it was a ‌mental illness, I forced ‍myself to stop doing it.” At a time when mental health wasn’t widely discussed, Murphy’s preconceived notions led him to⁤ a drastic decision: “I thought it was strange so I ⁢said to myself: ‘I’m not going to do it anymore. I don’t have any mental illness. Mental illness, ‌my nose!’‌ and I ⁤forced myself to stop.” OCD ‍is characterized by ⁣unwanted, intrusive thoughts and fears (obsessions) that drive repetitive behaviors (compulsions) which disrupt daily life.

While Murphy ⁣has ​made significant progress, he admits his compulsions haven’t entirely disappeared. “I still check the gas every night. But every once in a ⁣while, I double check it and I’m like, ‘No, you son of a bitch, you’re not going to start that shit again. Go to bed,'” he shared with a laugh.

The actor also credited ​a strong sense of self-love with helping him navigate the‌ pitfalls of Hollywood‍ and avoid the substance abuse issues that plagued many of his peers. In a recent documentary spanning almost two hours, Murphy discussed⁤ his childhood and how ⁣self-love​ allowed him to “evade ⁣many⁤ dangers of Hollywood.” He told People ​before the premiere, “My greatest blessing is that I love myself.” ‌ He continued, “I ⁣have always loved myself, I have always been my biggest fan. That is the basis of all the decisions I make. Some ⁤people spend their entire lives and at the end thay say: ‘I finally‍ love myself.’ I started like that.”

Today, Murphy finds immense joy in his large family. He is⁣ the father of ⁣ten children, ranging in age from⁣ 6 to 36. He shares five children with his first ⁢wife,Nicole,and two ​with his⁤ current wife,Paige⁢ Butcher. He has three‌ children from previous relationships. “It just happened. I never thought I would have ten children, but now it is the best thing that has happened to me. If you can afford⁣ it,⁢ you‍ shoudl have as⁣ many children as you can. ​It’s a lot ‌of fun,” he said. He concluded ‍proudly, “My children are all good people. ​I don’t have a⁢ single bad⁣ one, and I‌ like to think that they have inherited some of that from me.”