• Carly Pearce’s OCD and anxiety began in childhood, not just during adulthood or stressful events.
• Early family dynamics, especially modeling after her perfectionist mother, influenced her mental health issues.
• The pandemic and her 2020 divorce intensified Pearce’s need to address these lifelong struggles.
• Therapy has played a critical role in helping Pearce manage her “crippling” OCD and anxiety symptoms.
• Pearce’s public openness contributes to breaking mental health stigma in the entertainment industry.

Country music sensation Carly Pearce has candidly discussed her ongoing struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), highlighting the impact these mental health issues have had on her journey from childhood into adulthood. During an insightful August 2025 episode of the Dumb Blonde podcast hosted by Bunnie Xo, Pearce offered a glimpse into her mental health challenges, illustrating how early life experiences and family interactions contributed to her battle.

Carly Pearce Shares a “Core Memory” of When She Believes She Developed Mental Disorders as a Child

Pearce disclosed that the anxiety she believed had only recently surfaced actually dates back to when she was around six or seven years old. She recounted repetitive OCD-related actions, like persistently checking her backpack and alarm clock, and shared how storms would incite panic attacks. To alleviate her fears, her mother arranged a meeting with a meteorologist at a local library, a pivotal memory that underscores the deeply ingrained nature of her mental health issues from a young age.

While on the Dumb Blonde Podcast with Bunnie Xo, Carly Pearce Revealed She Has Anxiety and OCD

In the open podcast conversation, Carly discussed how she initially attributed her anxiety to her public divorce from fellow country artist Michael Ray in 2020. However, through therapy and reflection, she realized these issues were lifelong challenges. The stress of the pandemic and her divorce served as triggers that compelled her to address her mental well-being. Although she felt “trapped in her own body” during this stressful time, she shared how therapy and self-growth have equipped her with the tools necessary to manage her conditions effectively.

“I Watched and Led by Example,” Pearce Said of Picking Up Patterns as a Kid

Pearce credits her upbringing, particularly her mother’s perfectionist tendencies, as influential in developing her own need for control and order. Although her mother never explicitly pressured her, Pearce subconsciously mimicked habits like always maintaining a polished appearance and arranging Barbie doll shoes in precise order. This upbringing contributed to her own “crippling” OCD, leading to a lifelong desire to have everything perfect, which sometimes became paralyzing.

How Carly Pearce’s Journey Highlights the Importance of Mental Health Awareness

Carly Pearce’s openness about these struggles comes at a time when mental health discussions in entertainment are gaining significance. By sharing her experiences with anxiety and OCD publicly, she joins a growing movement of artists breaking stigma and encouraging others to acknowledge and seek support for their mental health issues. Her story is a reminder that mental health conditions often have complex origins and require sustained attention and care.

Healing Through Music, Therapy, and Transparency

Despite the challenges, Pearce continues to find strength through her music career and honesty about her journey. Her 2024 album “Hummingbird” symbolizes both personal healing and a return to her country roots. On her Hummingbird World Tour, she connects with fans not just through song but also by discussing topics like resilience and authenticity—demonstrating how mental health management is an ongoing process. Carly emphasizes that therapy has been crucial in helping her understand and address her lifelong OCD and anxiety, giving her tools to better navigate life’s uncertainties.

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