Media character Wendy Williams, 59, was recognized with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and first progressive aphasia (PPA) final 12 months, her workforce introduced right this moment.
Whereas the previous syndicated discuss present host of The Wendy Williams Present has been open with followers about residing with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune dysfunction that may trigger an overactive thyroid, and lymphedema, the buildup of fluid in delicate physique tissues, Williams’ newest diagnoses come on the heels of “inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health,” her representatives stated in an announcement.
“Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information,” the statement read. “Many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.”
The information launch requires extra empathy for individuals with aphasia and dementia, who significantly face stigma forward of a analysis. Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022 and FTD in 2023.
Williams’s workforce didn’t specify when in 2023 she obtained these diagnoses, however applauded the work of specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York Metropolis.
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the assertion learn. “Most importantly, she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed.”
Information of Williams’s situation comes two days earlier than the premiere of Where Is Wendy Williams? on Lifetime. The four-episode sequence is scheduled to air Feb. 24–25 and contains protection of her psychological and bodily well being points.
Kateryna Kon/Science Picture Library—Getty Photographs
What’s frontotemporal dementia?
FTD is a progressive dysfunction attributable to broken neurons within the frontal and temporal lobes of the mind. FTD is uncommon, based on the National Institute on Aging, tending to happen at a youthful age than different types of dementia. Adults between the ages of 45 and 64 account for about 60% of individuals with FTD.
In keeping with the institute, FTD signs can embrace:
- Issue strolling
- Issue with work
- Emotional issues
- Bother speaking
- Uncommon behaviors
No therapy or treatment is offered for FTD, however sufferers’ signs could also be managed. The life span of an individual residing with the illness is tough to foretell, starting from fewer than two years after analysis to greater than 10 years, per the NIA.
What’s major progressive aphasia?
PPA is attributable to the deterioration of mind tissue vital to speech and language, based on the National Aphasia Association. The syndrome is triggered by neurodegenerative illnesses like FTD.
There are completely different preliminary levels of PPA together with fluent aphasia, by which an individual exhibits an elevated phrase manufacturing fee, and non-fluent aphasia, by which an individual speaks fewer phrases than regular.
Nearly all individuals with PPA turn out to be unable to talk or perceive spoken or written language, even when their conduct seems in any other case regular, the NAA says. Speech-language pathologists might be able to assist sufferers handle signs and develop new communication methods, as no treatment exists.
For extra on aphasia and dementia:
Subscribe to Properly Adjusted, our e-newsletter full of easy methods to work smarter and stay higher, from the Fortune Properly workforce. Sign up without spending a dime right this moment.
