How Sean Patton Turned Mental Health Struggles To Comedic Success

Daily panic attacks. Anxiety so crippling he could barely function. The fear that if he told anyone what was happening in his mind, they’d think he was crazy. That was Sean Patton’s reality growing up. OCD wasn’t just about organizing things or washing hands — it was a relentless loop of intrusive thoughts and compulsions that dictated his life. It got so bad he dropped out of high school, avoided doorways, people, places, and conversations that might expose his struggles. But what Sean didn’t realize at the time was that the very thing causing his pain would eventually become the foundation of his greatest strength.

Comedy became Sean’s way of fighting back. What started as a defense mechanism— using humor to mask the chaos inside — turned into a career where he could be unapologetically honest about his experiences. On stage, he found power in telling the stories he once tried to hide, turning his most terrifying thoughts into punchlines that resonated with audiences who had their own hidden battles. In this sit-down interview, Sean opens up about his journey with OCD, the misconceptions about mental health, and how laughter became his therapy. 

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:05 Meet Sean Patton
4:03 How OCD affected Sean early in his life
9:42 How Sean dealt with his OCD
11:08 Is psychedelics good for OCD?
16:25 Misrepresentation of OCD in movies and shows
20:45 Is OCD beneficial?
23:15 Sean’s comedic act about OCD
26:47 Fear that OCD will evolve
27:50 “It’s Okay”
29:36 OCD ebbs and flows
32:13 Why Sean talks about OCD in his comedy
39:21 Facing OCD fears head-on
42:39 The best compliment Patrick gets
46:26 Destigmatize OCD and other mental health struggles
49:21 Sean’s comedic act about OCD superstitions
54:09 Why does OCD have to feel so real?
58:05 How to find Sean

Struggling with OCD? NOCD may be able to help. We specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy — the gold standard in OCD care. To learn about treatment,  book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

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