Noah Kahan Reveals Fear-Fueled Delay in Seeking OCD Help

Noah Kahan said he experienced a fear-fueled delay in seeking OCD help during a recent podcast conversation. The singer-songwriter explained why he postponed diagnosis and treatment despite mounting symptoms.

Podcast disclosure

Kahan spoke on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast on Monday, April 6. He described long-standing anxiety and more recent OCD symptoms.

The 29-year-old said the issues disrupted his daily life. He struggled to wake up and function normally.

Fear about creativity

Kahan said he feared treatment would dull his creative edge. He worried being happier would lessen the pain that informed his work.

He recalled first taking medication for anxiety in high school. The OCD diagnosis arrived much later in his life.

Turning point for new music

After getting help, Kahan said his sadness became more manageable. He no longer got pulled into obsessive rabbit holes and intense anxiety.

That shift helped him complete work on his new album, The Great Divide. He called the change a pivotal moment for his songwriting.

Joshua Tree retreat

Following the diagnosis, Kahan traveled to Joshua Tree to make music and find clarity. The trip felt miserable in parts but proved illuminating.

He stayed in a desert Airbnb that failed to provide the connection he sought. He described that period as a final, earnest attempt to reset.

Earlier treatment struggles

In conversations with TIME in October 2023, Kahan outlined his 20s mental health battles. He tried medications but struggled with side effects.

The dulling effects sometimes made writing songs difficult. He said this led him to stop treatments abruptly and spiral into long depressive episodes.

Out of Body documentary

Kahan’s Netflix documentary Out of Body follows a year and a half of his life. It begins amid the breakout success of his song “Stick Season.”

The film explores fame, mental health, and self-image. It debuts on Netflix on Monday, April 13.

Filmogaz.com will continue following developments in Kahan’s career and mental health advocacy. He remains active as a recording artist and public voice on these issues.