If you’ve binge-watched a British teen classic, you’ll know Kimberley Nixon — from Wild Child to Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging and Fresh Meat. But it’s her off-screen honesty that’s truly resonated.
In this chat with Ben, Kimberley shares her raw and harrowing journey through perinatal OCD — a time when she felt trapped in “the Upside Down from Stranger Things,” her mind flooded with the darkest thoughts imaginable. They explore motherhood, mental health, and the compulsive need for repetition. Together, they unpack the overlaps between OCD, autism, and ADHD — and how Kimberley is helping shine a light on the struggles so many experience in silence.
00:00 Introduction
1:54 Kimberley VS Her Brain
3:07 How Other People Think
4:10 Autism And Brains That Work Differently
4:52 The Brain VS OCD
5:39 OCD Stereotype VS The Reality: Hurricane Kimberley
6:47 Who Flagged Perinatal OCD?
8:04 Perinatal OCD: What We Need To Know?
9:36 Examples of Perinatal OCD
11:44 Intrusive Thoughts: Am I a Secret Serial Killer? Is My Brain Broken?
17:28 How Does Perinatal OCD Manifest?
18:45 Kimberley’s Husband VS Her Perinatal OCD
20:12 Autism & ADHD NHS Diagnosis Assessment Wait List
23:27 Ben’s Podcast Catalyst for Getting an AUDHD Diagnosis
25:43 The Cross Overs of OCD, Autism & ADHD Traits
30:40 Celebrating That Everyone’s Brain Is Different
31:20 How Does Kim’s Autism Show Up?
31:43 Opening Up To Friends & Family: “You’re Not Autistic!”
32:40 Taking Off The Mask
35:28 Physical Compulsions in Perinatal OCD
36:56 The Journey of Recovery: Being Kinder To Yourself
41:03 Literal Autistic Brains VS April Fools Day, Reading Between The Lines & Acting
44:09 Taking Off The Autism Mask & Becoming Yourself
45:22 OCD Therapy: Learning To Stop Enabling Reassurance
47:43 Why Did Kim Decide To Go Public With Her Perinatal OCD Crisis?
49:56 The Leading Cause of Death in Mother’s The First Year After Birth
50:33 Are You Born With OCD?
51:22 Avoiding Smoking & Drugs Due To Addictive Traits
52:37 The Power of Familiarity & Autism: Kim’s Secret Audio Book Safe Place
55:49 Autism, Motherhood & Resistance to Change
59:19 Ben’s Unofficial Autism Diagnosis
1:00:20 Perinatal OCD: Facing The Never Ending Nightmare
1:01:47 Excuses VS Explanation
1:08:08 The Benefits of Autism & A Career in Acting
1:10:17 What Does it Mean To Be Neurodivergent in Today’s Society?
1:16:49 Intrusive Thoughts: You Are Not Alone
1:17:43 Kimberley’s Promise
1:19:15 Kimberley’s Green Light
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On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.
Host: Ben Branson
Head of Production: Bella Neale
Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné
Video Editor: James Scriven
Social Media Manager: Charlie Young
Music: Jackson Greenberg
Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348
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