Braden Smith reveals struggles with severe OCD and suicide thoughts
- Braden Smith faced severe obsessive-compulsive disorder that led him to miss the last five games of the season.
- He underwent intensive treatment for 48 days while grappling with suicidal thoughts and religious scrupulosity.
- Following successful treatment, Smith aims to return to the field with the Indianapolis Colts and improve his mental health.
In Indianapolis, in a deeply personal revelation, Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith opened up about his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), specifically a type known as religious scrupulosity. Over the previous season, Smith missed the final five games, primarily due to the overwhelming mental health challenges that he faced. His condition became so severe that he spent 48 days in a treatment facility, grappling with thoughts of suicide and a profound disconnection from his life and loved ones, including his family and football career. The complexities of Smith's experience stem from his diagnosis of religious scrupulosity, which is characterized by intense anxiety surrounding actions that could be deemed as offensive to God. He described feelings of hopelessness and a need to seek an immediate resolution to his mental health struggles. Early on, he began therapy but ultimately faced a pivotal moment when his wife, Courtney, urged him to either continue with his medication and therapy or seek a more intensive care program. In light of this ultimatum, Braden chose to enter a rehabilitation facility for 48 days. Despite his efforts, he revealed that progress was minimal, leading him to consider alternative treatment methods. Eventually, he turned to ibogaine, a psychedelic substance administered in Mexico, after learning that it could potentially reset dysfunctional neural pathways associated with his condition. This decision marked a turning point in his journey, as he credited the drug with helping him feel more aligned with his faith and regaining control over his life. With continued therapy post-treatment, Smith shared that he is making strides in overcoming the grip OCD had on him. He expressed a renewed desire to return to football and rebuild his relationships with his family. The Colts management has supported his journey towards recovery, indicating that they are optimistic about his return for the upcoming season, highlighting that Smith's experiences underscore the importance of mental health awareness in sports and beyond.