How Comedy and Community Pulled Kristy Quinn Out of Rock Bottom

Kristy Quinn never expected to find herself at rock bottom. Growing up, she struggled with crippling OCD, intrusive thoughts, and overwhelming anxiety — challenges that few around her truly understood. To cope, she turned to alcohol, using it as a way to quiet the never-ending noise in her mind. But what started as an escape quickly became a trap, pulling her deeper into addiction and self-destruction. At her lowest, she suffered seizures, lost her memory, and nearly lost her life. She knew something had to change, but the road to healing felt impossible. How do you rebuild when the very thing you've used to survive is destroying you?

For Kristy, the answer came in the form of comedy and community. Taking the stage was terrifying at first, but it was also the first time she felt truly present — fully sober, fully herself. Each joke, each performance, each connection with an audience reminded her that she was more than her struggles. Through ERP therapy, support from others who understood her pain, and a newfound passion for making people feel good, she slowly took back control.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Kristy’s background
2:09 Being in the moment while doing comedy
5:57 Kristy used to be terrified of doing comedy
9:27 OCD has been a part of Kristy’s life since childhood
13:13 When Kristy began using alcohol to cope with OCD
15:59 Talking about OCD openly
19:36 When others don’t understand the disorder 
20:42 How Kristy uses OCD in her comedy 
22:17 The low point in Kristy’s life
26:49 Talk therapy made Kristy’s condition worse
29:52 “What if” rules Kristy’ life before ERP therapy
31:48 The power of diet and helping others
34:46 What Kristy wishes she knew about OCD before
37:22 Kristy’s advice if you’re struggling with OCD
42:11 Where to find Kristy

If you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

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