Bridget McGuire lived with undiagnosed OCD for decades. It started in childhood — intrusive thoughts, irrational fears, compulsive rituals — all hidden under the surface while she tried to live a “normal” life. From believing she’d get pregnant from kissing a boy to taking HIV medication she didn’t need, her brain never gave her a break. Therapy helped, but it wasn’t until she faced OCD head-on that things started to change.
Then came stand-up. What began as a creative outlet after a breakup quickly became a way to take control of the narrative. Bridget’s acts use comedy to explore the absurdity, pain, and resilience of life with OCD — and somehow, it’s hilarious. In this episode, she opens up about what it means to laugh at the very thing that nearly unraveled her.
0:00 Intro
2:50 Meet Bridget
5:05 Watch a comedic bit from Bridget about OCD
7:43 Coming from a family of “worrywarts”
9:26 What Bridget worried about early in life
13:37 Seeing therapists for the first time
16:35 The struggles of finding specialized care for OCD
17:51 The depths OCD can take you
21:40 OCD can’t be figured out
22:59 Bridget tries ERP for the first time
26:53 Bridget went to the program Patrick started
28:36 You can’t be brave if you’re not afraid
29:34 Breaking down stigma
32:36 Difficulties of attaining OCD therapy
34:24 You can do therapy online
35:55 Life after treatment
37:14 Living in New York can bring out the worst of OCD
37:53 Becoming obsessed with bed bugs
44:12 Why Bridget jokes about OCD
47:19 How to watch Bridget's act
48:09 Advice from Bridget if you have OCD
49:43 Outro
If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast
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