Maria Bamford's Keynote Address at the 2020 Online OCD Conference

Watch comedian and actress Maria Bamford's keynote address from our first-ever Online OCD Conference! Here, Maria tells her OCD story, from first symptoms, to diagnosis, to treatment, and more.

[@elizabethwarshawdantonio3609]

I'd be dead from suicide if not for Maria Bamford and her talents and Advocacy efforts... Really, I've been pulled out of dispair -- thank God for the ease of pulling up a video on our phones and having an instant connection w someone who knows what you're going through- when it seems no one else can or will.

[@alzychoze6591]

I am sorry you have been having a hard time. Good luck 🍀 and a clear heart to you.

[@sassytabasco]

Give yourself credit, stranger: Maria might have helped ground you, but you saved yourself. You got this.

[@inaspectrum2337]

Ty for sharing🧡

[@ookipuki]

I love you. Im too tired to talk all i cam say is I adore you as a being and you are very strong. Don't forget it

[@codependentmillennial9186]

G I R L S A M E MARIA-we love you, do you know this? Thank you darling. You are a great genius, Maria. You look so beautiful here by the way.

[@jedininja4432]

Love Bamford she convinced me to seek help after years of suffering and is a true force for original comedy

[@bbfleur4736]

“And my mother is praying for me.... MMH!” God she makes me laugh! Just love her! She has made my OCD diagnosis much more light hearted and filled with laughter ❤️❤️❤️

[@andia6865]

Maria is simply in her own league. Thank you Maria, for so many things, but mostly for beeing so open with everything you go throu.

[@catv2462]

I love Maria Bamford and didn't realize she has OCD. Lovely to see such success despite this disorder.

[@Mayabee321]

Maria Bamford is a truly unique comedian and her work has helped me cope with my mental illness. I’ve met her twice and she is very kind and sweet.

[@NinaElizaStratton]

Maria Bamford is so important to me, and I'm so glad she exists and continues to share herself with us, even when it's difficult (like doing comedy into a laptop). Thank you OCD Foundation for paying her to encourage us. It really really helps.

[@RyGuy147]

Whenever someone says "women can't be funny" my only response is "Maria Bamphord"

[@mikeypegasus1391]

This was an amazing way to start my depressed morning!

[@caitid73]

Maria Bamford was the first female comedian I ever heard perform (Second City in Chicago) - I hadn't known women "did" comedy or were funny. It was important to my development and I'm thankful for her existence.

[@dianeneel3294]

I so agree! People with mental illnesses are not stupid. People need to quit acting like its a virus. Thank you for making me laugh when I handle my depression!

[@IamThatiAm420]

Maria is such a blessing to those of us who struggle with depression.

[@denisemann8798]

Love this and Maria...the description of 'what's the worst that could happen" and 'what's the best that could happen' is so great! she helps me and us...

[@archaeomom]

"Writing down the premise of this joke at the funeral..." Maria Bambord is tfff.

[@mooimachickenable]

This made me feel a lot better. I just got diagnosed with OCD and it really helped to hear Maria Bamford's experience.

[@lauriejean9306]

Thank you Maria for normalizing these experiences

[@adamwhybray9300]

I bet Maria's helped a whole bunch of us with OCD. She's a wonder.

[@giselle8867]

I have so much in common with this story. I started with these thoughts at 9 or 10. Every time I’d try to mention it to therapists they freaked out. Finally, got to someone who seemed very nonplussed about it, and tried her exposure suggestions in my late 20s and told some people and then was totally fine. 20 years of suffering for such a simple freaking solution.

[@linsmith2476]

I’m a Veteran struggling and doing comedy. She’s my hero

[@suchgreatheights8841]

Maria's seriously the only person that can advocate for people suffering (social issues, anxiety/depression) ,you name it; while remaining true, honest, in her work. Shes truly an extraordinary woman. ❤️🙏🐶

[@abraxasadams8709]

Oh, Maria, how I love you.

[@mjoyyourself]

Maria is the best❤❤

[@andrewwoodward8563]

Love Maria

[@darinelizondo6185]

I love you Maria. Free of charge. I feel like you are a kind person and a beautiful woman. Enjoying watching you videos.

[@brennaaaahhhhhhhhhhh]

So inspiring to see someone with ocd be successful in comedy, a profession that requires so much public speaking. I used to enjoy public speaking, but when my OCD hit its peak at around 20 whenever I do presentations for school I always have the fear I would say my intrusive thoughts out loud.

[@c3koz]

I don't have OCD, but today was a big sad, and this helped.

[@Money4Nothing]

Maria is a wonderful genius.

[@lordlaymanby]

Saw a conversation between Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr earlier. They recommended Maria. Been watching her material for three hours now. I feel like I'm being given an upgrade. I like it.

[@lordlaymanby]

@Michael Lochlann I'm glad you commented. I was trying to recall her name just a couple of hours ago. Would've taken me ages to find her.

[@jamesmccormick9541]

@@lordlaymanby I love Maria Bamford, she's a good 👍 looking lady, a genius, a remarkable, a brilliant one, the best, more awesome, more funny, more talented and gorgeous, more pretty and more cute, beautiful 😍 ❤ 💕 💖 ♥ 💗 and wonderful 👏 woman American Actress and I give her a hug 🤗 and kiss 💋 with big love 💘. I like to talk to Maria Bamford and have conversations with her. Happy birthday to Maria Bamford 💓 💗 💖 💛 💕 ❤ Born Thursday, September 3, 1970 (age 53). I'm glad and happy she's born in September 3, 1970 on Thursday.

[@AJManol]

She made having bipolar way cooler for me 🙌🏻💓

[@patrickdevlin3552]

You're a brilliant goddess! THANKS

[@ryancolket1312]

Instantly love you!

[@AnnJoyRuth]

Just found out about your struggles while dealing with my boyfriend BPD, OCD, and schizophrenia. Thank you for being brave and honest, it truly is helping many understand these mental health issues.

[@dustinclark3390]

Mad props to Maria, Maria's number one

[@marc.levinson]

This was so nice to hear. She's always so funny even when talking about something so serious.

[@JW-hd4kf]

Thanks for posting this! I love her 😍

[@rosamariasolmund5693]

Why cant I like this twice? Love u, Maria Bamford!

[@electrajones5462]

I can listen to Maria's mom forever. 😆🥰❤

[@debmary2999]

She is soooooo awesome ❤️🌈🌸👏

[@colleenhathaway8415]

It was the 70's and I was sent to a nun and she was unlicensed...

[@rickenbacher7242]

You are awesome!!!

[@bennettwaisbren]

I loved Maria before but I love her even more after listening to this

[@mabeaute8963]

Wow!!! So wonderful! I've just watch about 20 of your standup...found you today and binged watched you...seeing this new you is marrrvelous darling!( ur old agents.voice) working with MH over the years and how you've tenaciously done you leaves me speechless. You are so loved and inspiring...thank you so very much, you've really touched a deep part of my being. Luvu Maria😍🌈⛲💕

[@phillipyangmusic]

Maria, I love you. Sending you positive energy. thank you for sharing your stories.

[@russellzomb1606]

I tell ya i love ya maria and i love all your content

[@AndyNorrisForReals]

You've been one of my favorite people since forever.

[@Nok112]

This means so much to hear. Makes me feel less alone. Thank you, Maria.

[@DerrickClaar]

we love you bammer! hope you're doing okay ,💕

[@irenemax3574]

“Call Domino’s.” Yes! It’s time for Domino’s to give something back to their clientele.

[@turquoiseafro1520]

ikr!

[@edtietz]

Maria is a gift to us all.

[@jeffchacon5781]

I love Maria Bamford !

[@vincentditizio8790]

I've been sending your videos about your experiences to others needing help. The comedy with the observations helps a lot. Your karma is good!

[@estook]

Maria, I have always thought that you are one of the greatest conceptual comics of all time. I hope that your honesty with your challenges helps others. If I ever get to meet you, I would love to give you a hug and say “Thanks”.

[@sassytabasco]

I find so much comfort in knowing that, in this time, there are so many resources on mental wellness at the tip of your fingertips. Having manic episodes in the 20th century is about the scariest possible thing I can imagine. It's so nice to be able to just hear people you're interested in on an artistic level express themselves so intimately. This can't be easy, putting yourself out there like that. Sharing experiences that are private and nobodies business, because you think it might help someone going through a similar problem. Very admirable, Maria. Very admirable.

[@joeldobbs9937]

Thanks, Maria!

[@multicosmos333]

Infinite Love to You. Thank You.

[@tracya.schneider7698]

I love you, Maria! sending love and supportive hugs to you and all of us who suffer from mental illness...I'm so sorry about your Mom's passing. XOXOX

[@MsJenniferTerry]

I am officially in love with you all over again, Maria.

[@nellytube4537]

Maria , you've done it again. Love ya!

[@dannyseadawg329]

Love her!!

[@shucksful]

Wow…I have found someone very talented

[@MattulaTaylor]

Bravo

[@jamlaw]

Lol I appreciate you so much. That opener hit home VERY much haha. Especially how the worst case seems so much easier to believe and speak vs. the best case, even though they are both wildly extreme 😅🤗🤗🤗🤗 thank you Maria.

[@karenhartlosangeles]

Dr. Rodney Boone has been around for years, thankfully! I know many people who have been helped by him.

[@NailFactoryProds]

You are hilarious. And love your bangs

[@NailFactoryProds]

OMG you are brilliant

[@ami7mina]

I LOVE HER!

[@gmooney1149]

Those with mental illnesses make the best comedians, ie. Robin Williams. Have to have loved ones around though that really care

[@MissLydiaBro]

I love you, Maria. Don’t feel guilty for your thoughts. The answer to Jill is yes, by the way. Just keep saying yes, it’ll work itself has been my philosophy through a lot of grief and bullshit. “It works if you work it, so work it, you’re worth it!”

[@hiimnoteasy]

Thank you for your honesty, encouragement & humor. "Within 90 days," delighted squichy smile. Bahahaha!

[@eemoogee160]

Legend!

[@robinsartsandcrafts6500]

I love you Maria! ❤️

[@jamesmccormick9541]

I love Maria Bamford, she's a good 👍 looking lady, more awesome 👌, more talented and gorgeous, more pretty cute, beautiful 😍 ❤ 💕 💖 ♥ 💗 and wonderful 👏 woman American Actress and I give her a hug 🤗 and kiss 💋 with big love 💘. I like to talk to Maria Bamford and have conversations with her. Happy birthday to Maria Bamford. Thursday, September 3, 1970 (age 43).

[@jamesmccormick9541]

I'll protect 😌 ✨ 🙏 🙌 🙂 ☺ Maria Bamford.

[@jamesmccormick9541]

Happy birthday to Maria Bamford 💓 💗 💖 💛 💕 ❤ Thursday, September 3, 1970 (Age 54).

[@rickpaul2177]

I Just love your work! Thank for your candor and I know for a Fact that your mother is praying for you...me

[@allicee8339]

You🤣 are a remarkable woman Maria 🤣

[@susiearioli2042]

Well...you are just getting better and better. Je t'aime

[@CATHRYNELEVEN]

I love you Maria

[@emilyhoward2465]

Thanks!

[@luiysia]

god she's so fucking funny. i absolutely love her!

[@cybercab]

You’re awesome! Lol. I love to.

[@sounfunnyitshilarious8349]

“…and then I would never die.”

[@islanddave8606]

I love you and good luck. Don't give up

[@deannerowland2287]

Love you and sing I don’t know what’s going on more than half of the time multiple times daily thinking of you. Credit

[@samanthak9078]

RELATE. Thank you!

[@NailFactoryProds]

I want you in my life you crazy legend

[@MrMavuso]

Comic genius

[@sofya6553]

Damn she funny

[@SeraphimGoose]

6 is the perfect number.

[@rayoll]

I am sorry you suffer Maria. My god there is simply no one around who can do what you do. No one is funnier or braver with their work.

[@ellierose6]

The person who took them time to thumb this down is a murderous sociopath who actually cuts people into bits and eats them.

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

Now I am glad I have never read HINDS’ FEET IN HIGH PLACES!

[@joshuaswannmusic6462]

LOL this is great. God love her, COD is awful I had it once and I couldn't read properly until my hooked on phonics came. When it got to my door I didn't have the money for it so I had this thought about kicking the mailman's ass but I kept reading his nametag all gobbldygook until I said forget it.

[@paulperez3013]

Do people who are born deaf suffer schizophrenia, dementia, unwelcome thoughts, etc, mental heath issues having to do with inner voice and audio senses? I wonder if learning American Sign Language and braile may help like positive affirmation techniques to reestablish and fortify ones feeling of self character unquantifyable

[@rottenhead8385]

My OCD wants badly to put art on her terribly bare wall!

[@joem2130]

Call dominoes 😂😂😂

[@grantlandthomas]

❤️

[@maryjwatt]

Well done, made me laugh many times. And you're mother is not praying for you. Ha Ha.

[@MissLydiaBro]

“Subscribé!” ✅

[@paulperez3013]

Got a few ideas... And not if any knowledge of what to do with it... And I saw some of the comments and it's obvious people love you, your fans love you and you help. Perhaps these things, thoughts, stuff what I noticed while in deep thought firing these past year. I can only speak for myself, I don't analyze or judge or categorize people, I tend to believe people are good and the same but unique. Intrusive thoughts and unwelcome thoughts: (Covid-19 symptoms seem different from the symptoms I half read online. Temporary. And not afraid of oneself taking any harmful action, but afraid of sharing unwelcome thoughts because wouldn't want to feel that there is ANY underlying ill feelings associated with unwelcome, unseeded, intrusive thoughts)

[@Brian-ey7qs]

Maria I would help you change a tire anytime anywhere. And I have a floor jack too. Love you in a non-weird way.

[@ChrisAllsobrook]

1.39😙

[@ChrisAllsobrook]

17.44😆