Former Morning Musume member and television personality Sayumi Michishige, announced her retirement from the entertainment industry on January 19, the same date she joined Morning Musume. In her announcement shared on her official agency's website and personal social media, she revealed that she has been battling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since the end of the previous year.

OCD is a mental health condition where people experience unwanted, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety, which then leads to the urge to perform certain actions or behaviors (compulsions) to relieve that anxiety. These behaviors might seem unusual or unnecessary, but to the person with OCD, they feel compelled to do them, even if they realize the actions don't make sense.

For example, someone with OCD might feel the need to check if the door is locked several times before leaving the house, even though they know they locked it already. Another common example is a fear of germs, which can lead to constant handwashing or cleaning. These rituals can take up a lot of time and energy and may interfere with daily life.

Michishige opened up about her struggles on Instagram, explaining, "In recent years, when I stepped off stage and was alone, anxiety and fear seemed to take over, and I couldn't shake them off. I felt unstable every day." She continued, "Despite knowing that my actions, intended to bring comfort, only increased my anxiety, I couldn't stop and found myself seeking out that anxiety, which made for a difficult time." She shared that in late 2023, she was diagnosed with OCD, adding, "Honestly, I felt a sense of relief when I received the diagnosis."

We wish Sayumi Michishige all the best as she focuses on her health and well-being and thank her for sharing her journey with the public.