Ellen DeGeneres Jokes About OCD, ADHD, and Osteoporosis in Netflix Special: “I Could Disintegrate in the Shower”

Ellen DeGeneres, the beloved comedian and television personality, recently shared her personal health challenges as she navigates aging in her new Netflix special, For Your Approval, which debuted on September 24.

During her stand-up performance, DeGeneres candidly discussed her diagnoses of osteoporosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infusing humor into these often serious topics.

“It’s hard to be honest about aging and seem cool,”she commented.

As she talked about her experience with osteoporosis, DeGeneres revealed that after undergoing a bone density test, she was diagnosed with “full-on osteoporosis,”a medical condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. According to the National Institutes of Health, osteoporosis affects approximately one in five women over the age of 50.

While sharing her health journey, DeGeneres humorously remarked:

“I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower.”

DeGeneres also addressed how aging has unexpectedly brought about various health issues.

“I had excruciating pain one day and I thought I tore a ligament or something,”she shared.

After an MRI, she learned that it was arthritis, with her doctor nonchalantly stating, “Oh, it just happens at your age.”

Ellen DeGeneres discusses OCD diagnosis and family background

Throughout her show, DeGeneres reflected on the onset of her OCD symptoms, noting that the ramifications of maintaining a toxic workplace at The Ellen DeGeneres Show deeply impacted her mental well-being.

According to the Mayo Clinic, OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can be distressing for those who experience them.

“I may have OCD because a therapist said so, and I said, ‘Yes, I am very organized,’ because I thought that was the ‘O,’”she joked.

Raised in a Christian Science household, DeGeneres noted that, “nobody talked about anything”concerning health issues. She specifically mentioned her father’s behaviors, like frequently checking doorknobs and unplugging appliances before leaving home, which led her to suspect that OCD might be hereditary.

“They say it could be hereditary,”she mused.

Interestingly, her wife, Portia de Rossi, confirmed that she exhibits OCD tendencies, while DeGeneres considers herself to be more “careful”than obsessive.

In addition to her OCD, DeGeneres revealed that she also contends with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a developmental condition that, as stated by the CDC, can make it difficult for individuals to focus and manage their impulses.

“My ADD makes it really hard to sit down and focus on anything at all. I mean, do you know how hard it was for me to put this together?”she quipped, noting her fading memory.

She added:

“I obsess on things, but I don’t have the attention span to stick with it, and I quickly forget what I was obsessing about in the first place.”

With a hint of humor, she suggested that perhaps this makes her “well-adjusted.”

Ellen DeGeneres’ candid revelations about her health come after a challenging year for her career, marked by allegations of a toxic workplace. Although her talk show wrapped up in 2022 after its 19th season, DeGeneres continues to ponder the criticisms she faced.

“When you’re a public figure, you’re open to everyone’s interpretation,”she commented.

Despite the controversies surrounding her, DeGeneres has made the decision to prioritize her well-being over public perception, concluding with the statement:

“I used to care what people thought, but I just can’t anymore.”

Currently, Ellen DeGeneres is still performing stand-up comedy and has recently released her Netflix special For Your Approval. While she has stepped back from daytime television following the closing of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she remains actively involved in producing new content via her production company, focusing on innovative projects and charitable initiatives.

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