Sayumi Michishige of Morning Musume Struggles with Pandemic-Induced Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Increasing trend after the COVID-19 crisis

Sayumi Michishige (35) of “Morning Musume” announced that she will end her entertainment career this summer due to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

On social media, many fans have expressed their regret over her retirement.

“She was the idol who remained scandal-free.”

“I wish Michishige good health and happiness.”

“Could her obsessive-compulsive disorder be due to her seriousness?”

According to her agency’s official website, Michishige was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at the end of the year before last and has continued her activities to the best of her ability since then. Despite shining on stage, she has spent her days struggling with feelings of anxiety and fear behind the scenes, eventually reaching her limit.

Dr. Kina Takagi, psychiatrist and chairperson of the Preventive Medicine Research Association, emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

“OCD refers to a condition where, despite knowing it’s absurd, specific thoughts (obsessions) repeatedly arise, and to alleviate those thoughts, compulsive actions (compulsions) are performed. Common behaviors include repeatedly checking if the door is locked or excessively washing hands. The key characteristic is that even though the person knows it’s irrational, they cannot help but check or repeat the behavior.

Most people have likely experienced worrying about whether they locked the door at least once. After checking and reassuring themselves, they no longer feel anxious. However, with OCD, even after checking, the anxiety persists, and the person feels compelled to check again. This significantly disrupts daily life.”

Dr. Takagi states that Michishige’s case is not unique. The pandemic, with its restrictions and heightened fear of infection, has led to an increase in people developing obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Some comedians perform on stage while having OCD.

“In today’s stressful society, obsessive-compulsive disorder can happen to anyone. People who are particularly sensitive to stress or who have strong attachments to certain things tend to be at higher risk for developing OCD, so they should be cautious.

Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Among psychotherapies, ‘Exposure and Response Prevention’ is a representative cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on behavioral therapy for anxiety.” (Dr. Takagi, as mentioned earlier)

Last year, popular comedy duo “Plus Minus” member Yoshimasa Iwahashi (46) publicly revealed he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, sparking widespread attention. According to Iwahashi, many comedians face OCD while continuing to perform on stage.

Michishige’s courageous decision is likely to deepen understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder and offer great hope to others who are struggling with the same condition.