Ellen DeGeneres talks about OCD, ADD and her struggles after the 'toxic' workplace scandal

Ellen DeGeneres, the once popular talk show host, has opened up about her mental health struggles following her controversial exit from Hollywood. During her recent stand-up show, “Ellen's Last Stand… Up,” at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on August 1, DeGeneres revealed that therapy has become a crucial part of her life as she deals with the fallout from her “cancellation” following allegations of mean behavior.

DeGeneres, 66, told the audience that she sought therapy for her obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit disorder (ADHD). The comedian, who was raised in the Christian Science faith – a belief system that traditionally does not recognize any disease or disorder – explained that it was only through therapy that she began to understand her own mental health issues. “I realized my dad had OCD after I observed him checking the door or faucet up to 15 times,” she recalled.

The realization that she may also have OCD came during a conversation with her wife, Portia de Rossi. “I went home and asked Porsha, 'Do you think I might have OCD?' And she said, 'Yeah, you do,'” DeGeneres said. Although she never considered herself obsessive, DeGeneres had always viewed her meticulous behavior as a sign of caution and contrasted it with the negligence of others. This realization, she revealed, was an important milestone in her therapeutic journey.

DeGeneres also spoke about her experience with ADHD, which she initially traced back to her years hosting “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The fast-paced nature of her talk show, where conversations were often limited to “five-minute segments,” made it difficult for her to have longer conversations without needing a break. “I'm happy to not just be a brand or a boss or a billboard, but just a person, just a complex person with different feelings and emotions,” she told the audience, reflecting on her desire to be seen as more than just a public person.

The stand-up performance was a poignant moment for DeGeneres, who has been under heavy public fire since her talk show ended in May 2021. The decision to end “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” after 19 seasons followed a scathing July 2020 report by BuzzFeed News that detailed a toxic work environment, including allegations of racial microaggressions and retaliation against employees who filed complaints.

Reflecting on the allegations during her May 2021 appearance on the Today show, DeGeneres expressed confusion and regret. “I really didn't get it; I still don't get it,” she said. “It was too orchestrated; it was too coordinated.” She expressed regret that she wished someone had alerted her to the problems sooner. “For me, it's difficult to read in the press about a toxic work environment when all I've heard from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy atmosphere it is and what a happy place it is,” she said.

Despite all the chaos, DeGeneres has found a way to keep going. During her Aug. 1 show, she spoke proudly about her personal growth despite the “devastating” rumors that have plagued her career. “It bothered me for years,” she admitted. “But as time goes on, you gain a new perspective — that's the good thing about getting older.”

DeGeneres' “Ellen's Last Stand…Up” tour, a 27-show North American tour that began in May, is being billed as her “final curtain call” for live performances. Robbie Praw, vice president of stand-up and comedy at Netflix, praised DeGeneres, calling her “a true legend and a pioneer in so many ways.” He added, “We can't wait to bring fans another of her hilarious comedy specials later this year.”

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