Luke Combs Opens Up About His Struggle with OCD
Country superstar Luke Combs recently shared details about one of the most intense anxiety flare-ups he has experienced in years, shedding light on his lifelong battle with a rare form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
A 'Particularly Wicked' Mental Health Condition
At 35, Combs has spoken openly about his struggle with purely obsessional OCD, a subtype of the disorder that lacks visible compulsions but can be mentally overwhelming. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, he described it as "particularly wicked" due to its relentless nature.
"The craziness of the particular disorder that I have, it's the way to get out of it," Combs explained to interviewer Adam Hegarty. "Like, it doesn't matter what the thoughts even are. You giving any credence to what the thoughts are is irrelevant and only fuels you having more of them."
Unlike the more commonly recognized compulsions, such as repetitive handwashing or light-switch flicking, purely obsessional OCD manifests through intrusive and distressing thoughts. Combs revealed that during an episode, he can fixate on a thought for 45 seconds of every minute—sometimes for weeks—causing significant mental distress.
photo: @davidbergman
Learning to Manage OCD
The "When It Rains It Pours" singer admitted that his OCD has interfered with his life and career multiple times. However, he has learned to manage it over time by shifting his perspective.
"It held me back so many times in my life where you're trying to accomplish something, you're doing really great, and then you have a flare-up, and it just like ruins your whole life for six months," he shared. "When it happens now, I'm not afraid of it because I'm not like, 'What if I'm like this forever?' I know I'm not going to be like this forever now."
Understanding OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These cycles can cause significant distress and interfere with daily life.
New York clinical psychologist Juanita Guerra previously described OCD as "a vicious cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors."
"It's hard to describe the mindset that's going on in the OCD," Guerra explained. "So it's like, whenever you're having one of those situations come up, you truly—whatever it may be—you think the worst possible situation's going to come of it. It could be the most unrealistic, crazy, unimaginable thing."
Combs’ First Experience with OCD and Anxiety
Combs first noticed symptoms of OCD in middle school. During a 2021 episode of The Big Interview on AXS TV, he detailed how his symptoms differ from traditional OCD stereotypes.
"I know when you see people that have OCD you think of them like messing with the blinds or straightening the carpet," Combs said. "Essentially my version of fixing the blinds or straightening the carpet is kind of thoughts that I play over and over in my head."
He recalled how his intrusive thoughts would often focus on his health.
"For example ... it'll be something about my health," he explained. "Like I'll be worried that I'm about to have a heart attack or a stroke, and it becomes this very obsessive thing that you can never have an answer to. That's kind of the awful part of it. You have to teach yourself to be comfortable with the fact you'll never get an answer."
Through his openness about mental health, Luke Combs continues to shed light on the reality of OCD, helping break down stigmas and encouraging conversations about mental well-being.