Ellen DeGeneres has opened up about her triple diagnosis in a Netflix special, ‘I could fall apart in the shower,’ she said. In her latest Netflix special, For Your Approval, Ellen DeGeneres speaks candidly about ageing and her health struggles. Released on Tuesday, the special marked her return to the spotlight after stepping down as a talk show host, following allegations that she fostered a toxic work environment.
In the show, DeGeneres revealed that she had been diagnosed with three conditions — osteoporosis, ADHD and OCD– after leaving her longtime talk show.
She explained how a routine bone density test led to the discovery of her “full-on osteoporosis.”
In her special, the 66-year-old joked, “I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower.” According to the National Institutes of Health, osteoporosis is defined as a “bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases.” It can lead to a higher risk of fractures due to weakened bones.
DeGeneres shared how she first learned about her osteoporosis, recounting an episode of severe pain. “I had excruciating pain one day, and I thought I tore a ligament or something, so I got an MRI. They told me, ‘No, it’s just arthritis.’ I asked, ‘How did I get that?’ and the doctor replied, ‘Oh, it just happens at your age.’” She added that being open about ageing while trying to appear cool is “hard.”
The former talk show host also reportedly revealed how therapy became part of her life after facing intense criticism from fans, which deeply affected her mental well-being. During these therapy sessions, she was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). DeGeneres humorously admitted that at first, she thought the “O” in OCD stood for “organised.” She said, “I didn’t know what OCD was. I was raised in Christian Science, a religion that doesn’t acknowledge diseases or disorders. So growing up, there was no conversation about any of this stuff.”
She continued saying, “My ADD makes it so hard to sit and focus on anything. Do you know how difficult it was to put this special together? Of course, you don’t. Why would I ask that? It’s just tough for me to focus.”
Recently, DeGeneres found herself back in the news as past interviews and tweets connected to Sean Diddy Combs resurfaced amid a probe involving the rapper.
As she wrapped up her discussion about ageing, DeGeneres reflected on her diagnosis, saying, “So, I have ADD, I have OCD, and I’m losing my memory. But I think I’m well-adjusted because I obsess about things, but then I don’t have the attention span to stay with them, and soon I forget what I was obsessing about. So, in a way, I think that makes me well-adjusted,” she joked, according to Page Six.
DeGeneres also addressed the accusations of creating a toxic environment at her show, which led to its cancellation after 19 seasons in 2022. Touching on the public criticism of her being accused of promoting “racism, fear, and intimidation,” she didn’t shy away from the controversy.
“When you are a public figure, you are subject to everyone’s opinions,” she said. “And I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, ‘What other people think of me is none of my business.’ People will say all kinds of things, and you can’t control that. But as long as you know the truth, that’s what counts,” she added.
DeGeneres went on to say that while she used to care about what others thought of her, she’s no longer burdened by those feelings. “I just can’t care anymore,” she concluded.
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