Leonardo DiCaprio has disclosed his concise five-word response to a mental health challenge he has battled for most of his adult life.
Now at the age of 50, DiCaprio has been captivating audiences for over 35 years, starting with his television debut in the 1989 series The New Lassie.
As the lead in Titanic, DiCaprio has earned his place as a Hollywood icon, with numerous award nominations finally culminating in a Best Actor Oscar win for The Revenant in 2015.
Despite these successes, DiCaprio has faced significant personal struggles beyond the glamorous world of Hollywood.
Among these challenges is a prevalent mental health disorder that he admits has caused disruptions during film productions.
DiCaprio first spoke about his condition while working on the 2004 film The Aviator.
The movie tells the story of aircraft designer Howard Hughes, who struggles with germophobia and mental illness but eventually becomes a successful filmmaker.
DiCaprio himself has been open about the challenges he faces due to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
According to recent statistics, one in 40 adults in the United States will experience this disorder at some point in their life.
The National Institute of Mental Health defines OCD as a persistent disorder characterized by uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both.
Individuals with OCD have symptoms that can be time-consuming and may cause significant distress or interfere with daily activities.
DiCaprio has experienced this firsthand, explaining how he compulsively stepped on every chewing gum stain he encountered, leading to significant delays on set.
In 2005, he shared: “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.”
He also expressed his struggle with the urge to walk through doorways multiple times, determined not to let the disorder control his life.
It is believed that a combination of medication and therapy has helped DiCaprio manage his OCD symptoms.
As reported by Rolling Stone, he described his five-word mantra for dealing with the condition: “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 day and say: ‘It’s just not worth it’.”
This statement is not intended to downplay his personal struggles or those of others dealing with the condition.
DiCaprio’s journey likely involved significant effort, which can serve as inspiration for those affected by OCD.
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties or is in crisis, support is available through Mental Health America. You can call or text 988 to connect with a 24-hour crisis center or visit 988lifeline.org for webchat assistance. The Crisis Text Line is also accessible by texting MHA to 741741.