‘I’m Like A Human Sandcastle’: Ellen DeGeneres Reveals Osteoporosis, OCD And ADHD Diagnosis

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for personal growth and resilience, I find Ellen DeGeneres‘ journey to be both inspiring and relatable. At 66, she openly discusses her health challenges, mental health issues, and the complexities of aging gracefully – something many of us can identify with. Her humor and self-deprecating jokes about being a human sandcastle or forgetting what she was obsessing about, make her vulnerability endearing and relatable.


Ellen DeGeneres discussed her diagnoses with osteoporosis, OCD, and ADHD, choosing to step back from public life temporarily amidst the controversy surrounding the creation of a toxic work environment and various accusations.

In the Netflix special titled “For Your Approval,” which premiered on Tuesday, DeGeneres, at 66 years old, confessed to experiencing some changes that come with aging. One of these was getting a bone density test, during which she was diagnosed with osteoporosis. To humorously express her feelings about this newfound vulnerability, she compared herself to a crumbling sandcastle.

Ellen playfully commented, “I’m not sure I can stay upright; I feel as fragile as a sandcastle on the beach. A quick shower might just reduce me to grains!

66-year-old DeGeneres shared an experience where she experienced intense pain and sought medical attention, believing she had torn a ligament. However, an MRI revealed it was rheumatoid arthritis, a condition common among people of her age. The entertainer admitted grappling with accepting the realities of aging while still wanting to appear youthful has been challenging.

Additionally, in a revealing admission, DeGeneres disclosed that she sought therapy due to the intense backlash and criticism from her followers, which deeply impacted her. During therapy sessions, she discovered that she was grappling with both mental health concerns, specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Even though her OCD diagnosis came later in life, Ellen DeGeneres has openly acknowledged that her earlier tendencies towards neatness and organization were probably signs of OCD she wasn’t aware of at the time. As she learned more about the condition, it became clear to her that her father likely had similar symptoms as well.

In the discussion between them, DeGeneres asked for Portia de Rossi’s opinion about a matter. De Rossi replied that it was quite possible that DeGeneres’ behaviors were indicative of OCD rather than something else. Meanwhile, DeGeneres herself admitted to struggling with attention deficit due to her ADHD.

She summarized her diagnoses by stating, “I’ve been diagnosed with ADD and OCD. Additionally, I’m experiencing memory loss issues. However, despite these challenges, I believe I’m managing quite well because I become fixated on things, but due to my short attention span, I don’t stay focused for long, and I often forget what initially caught my obsession.

Additionally, Ellen DeGeneres spoke about the debates surrounding her program, having faced allegations of creating a hostile work environment, leading to its end in 2022 after 19 seasons. Looking back on her career, she acknowledged that she once prioritized other people’s opinions about her, but that is no longer true for her now.

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2024-09-28 11:40