Jaclyn Smith Opens Up About How She’s Struggled with OCD Since She Was 12 (Exclusive)

Jaclyn Smith Opens Up About Her Journey with OCD and Motherhood in New Memoir

In a revealing interview with People magazine, veteran actress Jaclyn Smith, best known for her role in iconic television series Charlie’s Angels, candidly discusses her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in her new memoir, *I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie*. Now at the age of 80, Smith reflects on how her mental health challenges began at the tender age of 12, following the tragic death of her uncle due to alcohol addiction.

Smith describes her OCD as an “unusual form,” rooted in her desire to protect her family through prayer. Following her uncle’s passing, she found herself obsessively praying for the safety of her loved ones. “It all revolved around loved ones and prayer and sacrifice and manifesting,” Smith said. This compulsion, she explains, was a way to alleviate her anxiety over the wellbeing of those she cared about most.

During her time studying psychology at college, Smith came across literature on OCD that resonated with her own experiences. “It’s not fun being diagnosed (or self-diagnosing) with a psychiatric disorder, but at the same time I felt relieved,” she writes in her memoir. The understanding that there was a name for her affliction brought her a sense of comfort and community, banishing feelings of isolation.

The actress notes that her OCD tends to intensify during stressful situations, particularly when it involves her adult children, Gaston, 44, and Spencer-Margaret, 40. “You just want to catch every raindrop,” she explained, but as she has matured, Smith has recognised the importance of relinquishing control over every aspect of life. “You just can’t,” she added, emphasising the need to accept limitations.

Reflecting on her role as a mother, Smith describes it as “the best part of my life.” During her adolescence, after the loss of her uncle, she encountered health concerns that led doctors to inform her that she might struggle with infertility. “On a purely human level, it felt cruel to tell an anxious, grieving adolescent girl that she could be infertile,” she admits, and this statement only exacerbated her anxiety.

However, fortune smiled upon her, revealing that she was pregnant with her son Gaston in 1981, a moment she recalls as overwhelming. “I couldn’t believe it,” she shared. Four years later, the arrival of her daughter Spencer-Margaret further solidified her role as a devoted mother. Smith dedicated her life to her children, placing their happiness above all else and noting that they continue to be a fundamental part of her existence.

Even after her marriage to cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond ended in 1989, Smith reflects fondly on that period of her life. “That period in my life was a very beautiful period,” she recalls. For her, raising her children in a nurturing environment was crucial and remains a source of immense pride.

In her memoir, Smith not only addresses her challenges with OCD and the fears surrounding motherhood but also shares a layered narrative reflecting on her life experiences, both personal and professional. *I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie* provides readers with an honest glimpse into the complexities of her life, underscoring themes of resilience and the transformative power of love.

Smith’s journey invites readers to engage with discussions about mental health while celebrating the joys and tribulations of parenthood. Her memoir is not just a recount of struggles; it also delivers a message of hope, highlighting the beauty found in life’s challenges.

For those interested in delving deeper into Smith’s life story, *I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie* is now available at retailers across the country. Jaclyn Smith continues to inspire countless individuals with her authentic voice, reminding us all of the strength found within vulnerability.