John Green on how a lifetime of OCD inspired Turtles All The Way Down

There’s no single book that has made John Green one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. The Fault In Our Stars, Paper Towns, and Looking For Alaska are just a few of the many smashing successes on Green’s resume.

But in 2024, you might be hearing about one story in particular: Green’s 2017 #1 bestseller Turtles All The Way Down, coming to life in a new movie starring Isabela Merced and directed by Hannah Marks.

The story was an instant classic in the OCD community for its accurate, empathetic depiction of the condition. This comes from Green’s own lifelong struggle with OCD, and the journey that allowed him to conquer it.

Green sat down with NOCD’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Patrick McGrath to talk about his experience with OCD, the stigma and misunderstanding that plague the OCD community, and why Turtles All The Way Down gives the community a story they can truly connect with.