What is Aphasia? The Medical Condition Bruce Willis Was Diagnosed With

Bruce Willis is retiring from an illustrious career as an actor after being diagnosed with aphasia. The condition hinders a person’s oral and written communication abilities.

The Die Hard star became famous after being part of several successful films portraying critically acclaimed roles. He is a fan favorite and a big name in the Hollywood industry. It’s unfortunate that he has been forced to step away from something which he has been a part of for so long at 67 years of age.

What is Aphasia?

According to John Hopkins Medicine, aphasia is a language disorder. It is characterized by an inability to communicate appropriately with other people. Aphasia can occur as a result of a stroke, head injury, or brain damage. It happens when the part of the brain that controls language and comprehension is affected.

The announcement came on Instagram as Bruce Willis’s family stated in a post that the TV star has been facing health issues recently and his aphasia diagnosis means that he will step away from his acting career as his cognitive abilities have been affected.

Here is the Instagram post:

Understandably, both Bruce’s fans and critics were left shocked and sad to hear this news that would mean an abrupt end to a long-standing and renowned acting career.

Types of Aphasia

Some common types of Aphasia are:

• Broca Aphasia – When the front part of the brain that controls language is affected
• Wernicke Aphasia – When the side part of the brain that controls language is affected
• Global Aphasia – When a large part of the brain that controls language is affected

Symptoms of Aphasia

Aphasia symptoms depend on the type of aphasia a person has:

• People with expressive or Broca Aphasia may communicate in short sentences and may ignore using the words “and” or “the” from their language. They may also have to deal with paralysis of the legs or arms.
• People affected by Wernicke Aphasia may communicate in lengthy and confusing sentences and add unknown or extra words to their speech. They can also find it hard to comprehend other people.
• Those who suffer from Global Aphasia face difficulty in speaking and understanding language.

Can Aphasia Be Cured?

Some people may recover from aphasia on their own after some time without treatment. However, in most people some form of treatment is necessary. Treatment usually involves speech and language therapy that can improve the speaking and comprehension abilities of the person affected.

Even after treatment, some form of aphasia may linger on and the person may face problems in communicating effectively. Hence affected people require the help and moral support of their families and loved ones to aid their communication.

Communication in such people should be encouraged by repeating words if needed, using gestures, or writing down words. You shouldn’t ignore or isolate them but make them a part of your conversations.

If you’re suffering from aphasia, remember that treatment options are available. You can consult with an expert Speech and Language Pathologist using oladoc and get help regarding various language disorders and related medical conditions.