Maria Bamford Knows All The Mental Health Issues

Comedian Maria Bamford teaches us the tell-tale signs of a mental health crisis in the making.

[@letmemakeafuckingque]

God, it's so rare to see people talk about what OCD actually is. I'm so happy

[@SaintJezehell]

Right? Most people don’t understand what intrusive thoughts are like.

[@cornsoup1393]

Maria Bamford is the gem we do not deserve and I am so glad she deigns to share herself with the world.

[@thismyytbhandle]

Beautiful words for THE best comedian ever.

[@StefComedyJam]

you, 3 years ago, put my two decades of inextinguishable love of Ms Bamford into the most accurate words.

[@lartisteautravail]

I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety and OCD my adult life and this is the first time I’ve seen anyone share about intrusive thoughts on TV. So real. And you’re not a danger because the thought of hurting others is upsetting - the thoughts pop up because it’s exactly what you *don’t* want to happen. And the weird thing is I feel 10x more emotionally stable than the people who just say they’re fine all the time and don’t deal with their issues.

[@TheHomerowKeys]

That's the thing. I'm having these thoughts and that's making me upset. If I weren't upset with these thoughts, it'd be a freaking problem.

[@rogaface]

That's so cool that Stephen is a superfan

[@FloraWest]

+rogaface It seems that all my favorite comedians are ardent fans of hers.

[@lunatec6858]

Great minds think alike. :)

[@filmgeekstudios4393]

Maria Bamford and Doug Stanhope seem to be the most little known comedians that all comedians adore

[@brendar9363]

God can't get you if you're singing a song! NOW SHE TELLS ME! Thank you Maria.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

Church God is really different from what God really is like, so much so that some people have lost faith in him and actually concluded that an all powerful entity that has so many seeming failings can't exist. It's really sad. Sure God wants us to become better people, but he understands our difficulties better than even we do and he's always willing to help us, not because he hates us for our sins, hut because he loves us and wants us to become better so that we'll be happy. Leading a good life is actually good for us, whoddathought. Sure, it's painful getting there. sometimes you have to face some ugly truths about yourself, but the second you admit them and you're sorry they are gone.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

Church God is really different from what God really is like, so much so that some people have lost faith in him and actually concluded that an all powerful entity that has so many seeming failings can't exist. It's really sad. Sure God wants us to become better people, but he understands our difficulties better than even we do and he's always willing to help us, not because he hates us for our sins, hut because he loves us and wants us to become better so that we'll be happy. Leading a good life is actually good for us, whoddathought. Sure, it's painful getting there. sometimes you have to face some ugly truths about yourself, but the second you admit them and you're sorry they are gone.

[@LeeCzere]

Keep humming a tune...wont turn gay...hmm hmm hmm hmmm hmm hmm hmmmmmm

[@secallery]

Maria is definitely one of the little voices inside all of us.

[@mightyworker]

She's my favorite comedian too. Makes me love Colbert even more that he loves her as well. They're such beautiful people.

[@RootinrPootine]

+mightyworker me 3

[@WaitingtoHit]

+mightyworker She would have been awesome on Strangers With Candy. If only...

[@Time4aKiss]

Maria should make love to him

[@ttthecat]

+mightyworker I love your beautiful comment!!!

[@allieSunl]

I've struggled with unwanted thoughts from OCD since I was a kid, literally like maybe 5 years old. It was horrible, but I've learned to deal with it and manage it through therapy and medicine and really just getting older and more mature. It's nice to see people out there acknowledging and talking about their illnesses. God Bless Maria.

[@YarrBr0]

It's a dream come true to see Maria Bamford on Stephen Colbert's show. After they revealed Stephen was a fan of Maria's during the on-camera production meeting, I was so psyched to find out she was coming on the show. I only wish that the interview had been longer and that Stephen got to really talk to her more and ask her his typical witty, insightful questions.

[@neodonkey]

+YarrBr0 Yep it was way too short :(

[@kollinholtz9946]

I love the goddamn shit out of Maria Bamford.

[@KeylaKeystone]

I've just recently watched some of Maria's stuff but I love her already. I love how honest she is about her mental health history. She has such a unique way of speaking candidly about mental illness. I can relate to a lot of the stuff she's mentioned and I really appreciate her speaking about mental illness without it being so taboo. She actually make me laugh about it without talking down the issues she's experienced.

[@freegratuits]

Oh my GOODNESS. WHO IS THIS WOMAN CRACKING ME UP SO LATE AT NIGHT??!! I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard. She INSTANTLY became one of my favorites. I suffer from depression and depersonalization and hearing someone speak so wonderfully of mental illness just made my day. I'm literally CRYING from laughing so hard. Her routine killed me!

[@emanon2086]

She has 4 albums on Spotify. Funniest stuff I've ever listened to. Start with Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome and you'll be laughing your ass of for a solid hour.

[@freegratuits]

emanon2086 Thanks! I'm going to check her out. Love her so much already.

[@annerchisline9641]

+Erick Briceño Chávez Your picture made me smile, Erick. Thank-you!

[@franciewendorf9463]

finally someone who gets the kind of OCD I struggle with!!! it's not that she wants to do those things, she's AFRAID of wanting to do those things or of actually doing those things. its all about fear of being a bad person or doing bad things. People with these OCD fears are actually the least likely to do those things if anything.

[@jerrysizzler44]

Any man who appreciates and admires Maria Bamford and Amy Sedaris is a true ally. 💖

[@jeffeastwood15]

If you haven't already, start watching Lady Dynamite.

[@imadethiscuziwsbored]

as someone with ocd i can attest to the accuracy of this. Its so awesome to see such i guess dark and what some might call depressing thoughts be talked about in such a funny way haha

[@majorsanders4525]

+Lin B drink whiskey it goes away

[@cappuccinosteve9251]

So basically what every comedian does

[@jennifergregory7364]

Maria Bamford is a treasure!❤❤

[@maryrosekent8223]

She surely is. A gift we all get to share.

[@epilepticmercenary9625]

Just learned about his woman but I think that she is instantly an inspiration. I too suffer from these kinds of thoughts and worry about whether or no I will act or have acted because of them. Humor definitely helps intrusive thoughts and I can say that first hand. It is a delight to see someone make fun of a mental disorder in such a tasteful and understanding way. Huge props

[@pursuingancientpaths8131]

Shes the funniest person ever.

[@thisLittleLightofMIne249]

Thank you Maria Bamford for talking openly about mental illness, and showing the world that it's not something to keep hidden or be ashamed. Please keep performing and being a beacon of hope. (I know that's So cliche but it's all I got) I hope someone on the Colbert show tells Maria about all the positive posts.

[@Z3ROTH3RT33N]

My favorite comedian too Stephen.

[@friendosal6017]

Maria Bamford is a terrific comedian and human being and I always love seeing her on the late night shows or comedy specials online. Her bravery talking about intrusive thought-type OCD is amazing and destigmatizes this concern - which is very treatable! I work with children through young adults and I see this more often in my practice with more honest discussion about anxiety disorders in the media and with pediatricians/physicians. Again, thank you Maria for your bravery! About 2-4% of us will have some form of OCD (possibly higher % because of stigma in reporting the intrusive thought-type). It is not "crazy," just a neurological hiccup that responds to well-established therapies.

[@andervan]

Maria Bamford is a fucking legend, just one of the greatest comedians on the planet. We're not worthy.

[@kotkaconforza]

Bamford is unique genious.

[@danielv8521]

*genius

[@creehudson]

Looooove Maria! I had never heard of her before you tube and the Maria Bamford Show, but now my husband and I are huge fans, I am so thrilled she is coming back into a mainstream spotlight, because she is wildly talented, hilarious, relatable, and just freaking genius! We are forever listening for her voiceover work!!

[@edhickey6336]

Seeing her openness about her own struggles with mental illness is amazing. She is fucking brilliant and so fucking strong as a person...it is a beacon for the rest of us..to share our own stories of our depression. Know we are not alone

[@TheLetterFifteen]

I really love Maria Bamford's comedy. Great to see her on here.

[@sarahbarkley9714]

I need Maria in my life at all times. God can't get you if you're singin a song! Thank e, for your perspective and strength Maria! You help me going another day!!!!

[@faultline25]

I have the obsessive side of ocd. when the intrusive thoughts are bad it really sucks. it feels like you are shaming yourself into oblivion. never thought a song or any ritual would help with them though.

[@YarrBr0]

She said that what helped her work through it is that she recorded all her unwanted thoughts and played them back to herself on repeat until her brain finally got bored of them. She finally became unfazed, and all her anxiety and irrational fear receded.

[@pricetk]

+anon If I'm not mistaken, her anxiety song is a joke about a certain kind of therapist she had. If you read up on Maria, she actually had to go through several therapists, including one that reported her because she expressed an unwanted thought of molesting someone mentally handicapped, before she found one that actually recognized unwanted thought syndrome as a kind of OCD and helped her.

[@FernandoVazquez-ro1nw]

There is no such thing as "only the obsessive side of ocd". If you have OCD you have compulsions of some sort, which keep feeding the obsessions.

[@maxwellgedi]

@@FernandoVazquez-ro1nw hey Fernando, I just thought I'd say but not all OCD comes with physical compulsions. I have a similar form to Maria in the video and all my compulsions were mental based and caused the same amount of stress. This is by no means me saying you're wrong, just a little bit of further knowledge on the subject for ya 👊👍

[@faultline25]

@@FernandoVazquez-ro1nw Since writing this comment five years ago, I don't often have the horrible intrusive thoughts that would make me feel like a terrible person anymore. I kept telling myself that the thoughts were not who I am as a person and eventually they quelled. Now my OCD manifests in a fear of choking (I have asthma & LPR). I definitely have noticed some compulsions like constant pulse checking, pacing, and sometimes humming when it's really bad. But five years ago it was strictly the obsessions. Look up "Pure O".

[@rexmundi2237]

Extraordinary woman who doesn't appreciate how beautiful and funny she is.

[@mushka2787]

omg that song....I know that song.

[@mizpappas]

This interview barely scratches the surface of her brilliance. She is a comedic genius. Much love! Watch LADY DYNAMITE!

[@TheodoreGrammar]

Genius, turns every conversation like this into material and they fall for it almost every time

[@jimmyb101]

Maria Bamford amazing woman, amazing comedian, great interview Stephen. Respect with honesty & care

[@samholder196]

Good lord she is amazing. And her life looks EXHAUSTING. I hope she has peace, too.

[@Tigeroovy]

Maria is EASILY one of my favourite comedians. She's so great.

[@ScottishMatters]

love her!!!

[@alifmuhammadchicago]

The gem, the legend, the Bammer. So happy to hear Colbert call her his fave.

[@nattanunsangkasaba8991]

She is the Best comedians on the planet earth yes of course

[@dreaminginnoother]

They had her and her mother on invisibilia, and she really does a perfect impression of her mother.

[@Littlebellaphant]

I like Stephen C better for liking Maria B.. Their some of my favorite comedians 💙

[@fionaferg]

Thank you MB for your honesty and your humor.

[@Alex-dk8dl]

Maria Bamford is my favorite comedian in the universe! Much much love for her💗

[@trandrews7494]

Honestly - what a world we live in when so many of its tortured and probably most internally unhappy souls are the ones the tend to give us the greatest art. It happens for musicians, comedians, writers, actors, painters, and so many others. I have guilt laughing with (or at?) Maria, but what else can I do? She is just so goddamn funny!!!

[@JessicaFriedman32]

This is SO true! I'm actually working on an article about comedians and mental health issues, and Maria really helped destigmatize the concept of mental health awareness in the comedy community. Now everyone is talking about it-Bo Burnham in Make Happy and Inside, Jerrod Carmichael in Rothaniel, and Neal Brennan in 3 Mics and Blocks to name a few. I was recently in a psych ward after being suicidal, and Maria absolutely nails the experience. I will now do anything I can to never go back, but it was definitely the break I needed to sort out why my job in marketing was literally killing me.

[@christinarasmobeymer]

I don't watch TV but I LOVE Maria, so I search for her on KZbin. I bought her albums on Amazon. Love her show on NetFlix. She is so deeply talented and wonderful!

[@tochtliochtli7239]

Aww Maria! I love you 😭💛 #mariabamford

[@katsdeelite1200]

This is a hard world to be in, even if you are relatively normal. Those at the top feed and profit from our anxiety and have "Think Tanks" to come up with new ways to stoke it. I appreciate Ms Bamford's courage, and willingness to be authentic, it looks like it costs her emotionally. She is my favorite, too.

[@SCREWJACKJR]

"God Can't Get You If you're Singing A Song" Another daily Mantra I can Use!!!!! I love you Maria!!!

[@BillPaine]

Love Maria Bamford! She's my favorite, too, Mr. Colbert. Also love the Ultra-Man shoutout. Wonderful!

[@homemzangado]

"My favorite comedian"?! *getting ready to see ALL her shows*

[@IAm-cs5bo]

Maria Bamford is my favorite comedian as well..

[@busyrand]

I absolutely love Maria Bamford!...

[@funkinatrix]

Aww, Stephen and I have the same taste. Maria is my favorite, too. Love you, Maria!

[@BeamBouncer]

This woman is a treasure!

[@BrandonOsborn404]

I used to not like her, and I am now totally sstonedd by her comedic excellence. I'm glad I grew up.

[@osbely]

I love Maria, she's so kooky.

[@sarahschroud]

She's doing so much for this world.

[@geothevanni]

this warms my cold heart.

[@ryanw6074]

I love that Colbert gave her so much exposure. Maria is brilliant.

[@mou5e36]

maria bamford is timeless!

[@contactkeithstack]

Makes a lot of sense that Colbert really likes her comedy. She's great.

[@missscreamwhore]

I love her “I’d like to speak to your manager” voice. Def my favorite and her song is magically delicious

[@AM-gc4yd]

Thank you so much Maria you're my hero

[@jabarnes77]

She is my favorite too!! On planet Earth!!

[@byron2521]

Yep! Love her. Kudos to her for talking about this form of OCD. Many people trivialize or talk about OCD as if it is just washing your hands too often, or as Sheldon on Big bang.... knocking 3 times, etc. These may be real disorders, but seem harmless and quaint. But, I've suffered from depression, anxiety, and this form of OCD (unwanted violent and sexual thoughts), most of my life. I'm glad to see her talk of it..... even joke about it.

[@carolinespaulding7567]

Love you Maria! Stay strong sista!

[@israelarellano3559]

I don't want to die before seeing Maria, By far my favorite Female comedian, my second favorite comedian is Maria Bamford too.

[@mikebrown4063]

she has the most infectious smile ever

[@Sleazuschrist419]

we want more of her, a lot more

[@chelseamorning6219]

She is so frickin cool! So kind too 🖤

[@neodonkey]

BAM! She's the best!

[@amberagee7294]

I love Maria Bamford!

[@Paolo8772]

It was my privilege to share the stage with her Wednesday when she dropped into the open mic I play once a week in Vancouver. I wasn't even familiar with her but she was therapy for me when she made fun of the overly optimistic. L.A.attitude that shames anyone that wouldn't flow the most impossibly ridiculous dream they could possibly have for themselves, then she did a great imitation of her mother and step mother. She's a genius.

[@chaprinonaprane]

i love her. such an amazing talent.

[@patrickharry1622]

She’s amazing!

[@blahblah49]

She is my favorite human.

[@janzy58]

I bloody love her.

[@tinashen2984]

Maria Bamford is so funny and honest!

[@jobrien385]

She's awesome.

[@milducekvailuce]

Love love love her

[@jayozz8854]

I just fell in love, thanks.

[@lukesta12]

Shes my favorite person ever

[@shoutingship6457]

awesome guests this week

[@TheHouseOfD]

I'm so happy to hear that Maria is Stephen's favorite comedian!! She's mine as well!!

[@Humgin1234]

All time favorite

[@opitaylorredgirl11]

My Target lady!!! I freaking LOVE HER! I've never seen a better more funnier commercial since her Target days

[@TheNormanmurk]

I love her she really is awesome

[@ktnarnia]

SHE IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL.

[@seanroche2358]

She is a saint,love the Bammer!

[@_fig.8]

love her so much

[@chrismyles1538]

One more reason to like Stephen Colbert.......he's a Maria Bamford fan. She's the best!

[@Chris-is1rd]

Her albums Ask Me About My New God, How to Win! and Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome are all excellent

[@klosranj1773]

LOVE HER!!

[@taylorhumes7567]

"Psychosis is when you actually have a plan..." Beautiful.

[@BB-vq8my]

I love her!

[@johncira7233]

She is definitely in the top 2.

[@SageOftheSubway]

Love her!!

[@mattb5984]

I LOVE HER!

[@chargoond]

my hero !

[@missscreamwhore]

Lol I love her voices so much