Podcast Summary: "When Famous People Actually Get OCD Right..."
Podcast: Get to know OCD
Host: NOCD (Guest: Nicole Raffi)
Date: September 7, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode, guest-hosted by Nicole Raffi (OCD advocate and pop culture commentator), explores how OCD is often misunderstood and misrepresented in media, and how the candid sharing of real experiences by celebrities is helping to change that narrative. Nicole shares her personal journey with OCD, highlights four public figures whose openness about the disorder has made her feel seen, and discusses the importance of accurate representation for destigmatizing OCD and encouraging treatment.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nicole’s Personal OCD Journey
- Nicole has lived with undiagnosed OCD since childhood, only receiving a diagnosis in 2021 after her mental health worsened (00:21).
- Stigma and faulty media portrayals kept her from recognizing her own struggles as OCD.
- Nicole humorously mentions her cat Clementine, who also has a veterinary OCD diagnosis (02:09).
Quote [Nicole Raffi, 01:30]:
"OCD has just had this stigma around it and these beliefs of what it looked like, and I think that has led to many people like me not knowing that they even had OCD, thus not getting treatment."
2. Media Misrepresentation of OCD
- Media often depicts OCD as mere neatness, cleanliness, or quirks (like Khloe Kardashian's organized pantry or Sheldon Cooper's comedic compulsions) (07:18).
- This is contrasted with the variety and complexity of real OCD symptoms, leading many (including Nicole) to feel unseen by these portrayals (08:30).
Quote [Nicole Raffi, 07:57]:
"I've never seen OCD talked about like that in the media... If I was watching somebody with OCD, it was someone like Khloe Kardashian, who was saying that she has OCD because she likes to keep her pantry really organized... That just was not what I was experiencing."
3. The Impact of Real Representation: Celebrity Examples
Nicole discusses four celebrities whose open, accurate accounts of OCD have been meaningful to her—and likely to others seeking understanding or validation.
A. Jennette McCurdy (Author, Actress) [14:20]
- Jennette’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, describes the onset of OCD as spiritual compulsions rooted in her religious upbringing.
- She referred to the intrusive thoughts as the "Holy Ghost" guiding her rituals, which Nicole finds deeply relatable.
Quote [Jennette McCurdy, cited by Nicole – 15:32]:
"The spirit of the Holy Ghost command you to cross your name out on the sign in sheet, go to the restroom, touch your underwear band five times in a row, twirl on one foot, unlock and re-lock the bathroom door five times..."
- Nicole reflects on her own religious childhood and the added shame of experiencing "unholy" thoughts during church.
- Highlight: Jennette’s candidness helps readers realize they might have OCD, too.
B. Jenna Ortega (Actress) [21:12]
- Jenna spoke openly about her “intense OCD” in film press interviews, describing repetitive thoughts, counting, and nightly rituals for reassurance.
- She acknowledged the irrationality but stressed how real the compulsions feel.
Quote [Jenna Ortega, cited by Nicole – 22:47]:
"My nights consist of being really exhausted and going up and down the stairs six times because that's what I think I need to do to make sure no one breaks into my home."
- Nicole highlights how exhaustion can exacerbate OCD, relating it to her own experience with overwork and compulsive behaviors (e.g., checking doorbell cameras).
C. John Green (Author) [29:18]
- John Green’s novel Turtles All the Way Down was shaped by his own OCD, especially “spiraling” thoughts and intense fears of contamination.
- He advocates for the possibility of a fulfilling life with OCD, challenging stereotypes of hopelessness.
Quote [John Green, cited by Nicole – 31:05]:
"I'm not here to tell people that you should have hope—that life is sunshine and rainbows and never a struggle. There are times when OCD feels like this is the whole story of your life… but it is a lie."
- Nicole finds hope in his message that OCD and a good life can coexist, emphasizing the importance of treatment.
D. Shannon Purser (Actress) [34:10]
- Shannon wrote about her OCD in Teen Vogue, detailing compulsions like re-reading sentences until they felt “just right,” and the subsequent impact on her daily life.
- Her OCD-centered guilt around truth-telling and her fear of dishonesty caused her to withdraw and contributed to suicidal ideation.
Quote [Shannon Purser, cited by Nicole – 35:15]:
"I became obsessed with the idea that I was being insincere. I could no longer say simple things like 'I'm sorry' because I thought—what if I wasn't really sorry? That would make me a liar."
- Nicole draws parallels to her own experience with compulsive truth-telling and the shame that can accompany OCD.
- Shannon’s visibility and willingness to discuss suicidal feelings help others recognize the seriousness—but also the treatability—of OCD.
4. Message of Hope and Advocacy
- Nicole stresses the life-changing nature of ERP (exposure and response prevention) therapy and treatment, sharing her own progress and reiterating that improvement is possible (40:30).
- She encourages listeners not to internalize stigma or assume they are alone, highlighting the availability of help.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- [01:30] Nicole: “If you didn’t know what OCD was… you didn’t have a good idea because I don’t think it’s represented the best in media.”
- [07:57] Nicole: “That just was not what I was experiencing… I didn’t see any characters experiencing a really immense fear phobia of cryptic pregnancy, so much so that I was convinced that I was constantly eight or nine months pregnant, ready to pop at any point.”
- [15:32] Jennette McCurdy (as cited): “The Holy Ghost, AKA my still small voice, has finally spoken to me.”
- [22:47] Jenna Ortega (as cited): “My nights consist of being really exhausted and going up and down the stairs six times because that's what I think I need to do to make sure no one breaks into my home.”
- [31:05] John Green (as cited): “There are times when OCD feels like this is the whole story of your life… but it is a lie. With treatment, determination, and help... you can beat back the obstacles to a good life with ocd.”
- [35:15] Shannon Purser (as cited): “I could no longer say simple things like 'I'm sorry' because I thought—what if I wasn't really sorry? That would make me a liar.”
- [40:30] Nicole: “You do not need to suffer with OCD in silence. There are so many people out there who are experiencing what you are going through and there is so much help available for you.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–03:00: Nicole’s introduction & diagnosis journey
- 07:00–10:00: Misconceptions and media stereotypes about OCD
- 14:20–21:00: Jennette McCurdy’s religious OCD and accurate depiction in her memoir
- 21:12–28:45: Jenna Ortega’s open discussion of rituals and the role of exhaustion
- 29:18–33:30: John Green’s spiral analogy and message of hope
- 34:10–39:50: Shannon Purser’s struggles with truth-telling and suicidal ideation
- 40:30–41:40: Closing encouragement and advocacy
Conclusion
Nicole Raffi’s candid, humor-laden storytelling weaves her experiences with those of public figures, powerfully illustrating the diversity and seriousness of OCD, and the real hope for recovery. By elevating accurate celebrity accounts and sharing personal insights, she challenges stereotypes, pushes for broader understanding, and reminds listeners that support and treatment are available—and change is possible.