(DailyVantage.com) – Ellen DeGeneres recently opened up about receiving three major health diagnoses: osteoporosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and ADHD. The 66-year-old comedian shared these personal revelations during her final Netflix special, For Your Consideration, which premiered on Tuesday. In discussing her experiences with aging, DeGeneres tackled the challenges of coping with these new realities.
The former talk show host first explained how a routine bone density test revealed that she had “full-on osteoporosis,” a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. DeGeneres humorously joked, “I’m like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower.” Osteoporosis is particularly common among women over 50, affecting nearly 20%, according to the CDC.
DeGeneres also addressed the difficulty of maintaining a “cool” image while being honest about getting older. She recalled a moment of intense pain that led her to believe she had torn a ligament, only to be told it was arthritis. “I said, ‘How did I get that?’ And he [the doctor] said, ‘Oh, it just happens at your age,’” she said, underscoring the unexpected challenges of aging.
On top of her physical health issues, DeGeneres revealed she had been diagnosed with OCD by her therapist. The diagnosis came after she sought therapy to cope with the backlash from accusations of a toxic workplace on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2020. Though DeGeneres issued multiple apologies and eventually ended her show in 2022, she noted that the intense scrutiny took a toll on her mental health.
She also shared that she has ADHD (previously referred to as ADD), which has made it difficult for her to focus. “My ADD makes it really hard to sit down and focus on anything at all,” she told her audience.
Despite these challenges, DeGeneres reflected on how aging has given her perspective, helping her stop caring so much about what others think. “With time, you gain perspective… But with perspective, you realize that caring what people think to a degree is healthy, but not if it affects your mental health.”
Her message resonated with her audience, as she emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and prioritizing mental well-being.
Copyright 2024, DailyVantage.com
