Ellen DeGeneres, 66, has revealed multiple health diagnoses, including osteoporosis, arthritis, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

These medical revelations were made in her final Netflix comedy special, For Your Approval, in which DeGeneres shared humorous and heartfelt reflections on aging and her career’s recent challenges, as the New York Post reports.

The Emmy-winning comedian shared her health diagnoses in light of her experiences with growing older and the fallout from the controversial end of her long-running talk show.

DeGeneres discussed the fact that she was diagnosed with osteoporosis following a routine bone density test. The diagnosis came after the end of her daytime talk show, which concluded amid allegations of a toxic workplace environment in 2020.  While recounting her experience with the diagnosis, she managed to maintain her characteristic humor, quipping about her fragility.

DeGeneres Balances Humor, Health

In addition to osteoporosis, DeGeneres was also diagnosed with arthritis after experiencing what she described as excruciating pain. When doctors confirmed that arthritis was the cause of her discomfort, DeGeneres was surprised to learn it was an age-related condition. Her reaction to this news formed part of her comedic routine, helping to keep the tone light despite the serious topic.

The diagnosis of OCD came during therapy sessions that DeGeneres attended following the backlash from her talk show’s toxic workplace allegations. She revealed that she initially misunderstood the term "OCD," thinking it merely referred to her being highly organized. Her therapist’s explanation of the disorder opened her eyes to the realization that her behaviors, such as repetitive checking and organizing, mirrored those of her father, who she now believes also had OCD.

Comedy As Coping Mechanism

DeGeneres has always used humor to address personal topics, and her health challenges are no exception. Her wife, Portia de Rossi, confirmed DeGeneres’s OCD tendencies, adding a layer of personal reflection to the comedian’s experiences. DeGeneres admitted that understanding her OCD has helped her process some of the past struggles, particularly the emotional toll of the workplace scandal and the challenges of aging in the public eye.

The ADHD diagnosis was another surprising development for DeGeneres. She joked about how difficult it has been to focus on anything for a prolonged period, remarking on how her attention often drifts, even while working on her comedy special. DeGeneres's light-hearted commentary on ADHD provided a balance to the more serious reflections in her special, giving viewers an insight into how she manages her various health conditions.

Linking Health Challenges with Family History

One of the most striking moments of DeGeneres’s special was her reflection on her father’s behavior, which she now attributes to undiagnosed OCD. She described how her father would obsessively check the house before leaving, behaviors she now recognizes as signs of the disorder. DeGeneres explained that OCD can sometimes be hereditary, hinting that her father’s actions may have influenced her own tendencies.

Her religious upbringing in the Christian Science faith also played a role in her late diagnosis. DeGeneres revealed that discussions about health, diseases, or disorders were largely avoided during her childhood, as the faith did not acknowledge such issues. This background may have delayed her understanding of her conditions, as she grew up in an environment where health topics were taboo.

Aging And Facing Health Realities

Throughout For Your Approval, DeGeneres shared her personal journey of coming to terms with aging and the health diagnoses that have accompanied it. Despite the challenges, she continued to infuse her comedy with these experiences, reflecting on the difficulty of aging while maintaining a cool persona. "It’s hard to be honest about aging and seem cool," she confessed during the special.

One particularly humorous moment was when DeGeneres joked about her fragile physical state. She described herself as a "human sandcastle," remarking that she could "disintegrate in the shower" due to her osteoporosis diagnosis. This combination of humor and vulnerability resonated with her audience, as DeGeneres used comedy as a way to process the changes in her life.

Striking a Healthy Balance

Despite managing several health conditions simultaneously, DeGeneres shared how her ADD, OCD, and memory loss sometimes work in her favor. She humorously described how her attention deficit makes it difficult to obsess over things for too long, as she quickly forgets what she was fixating on. This observation provided a lighthearted moment, illustrating how DeGeneres has learned to balance her conditions with a sense of humor.

At 66, DeGeneres is navigating a new chapter of life that involves not only the physical changes of aging but also the emotional aftermath of her talk show’s public controversy. The combination of her health diagnoses and her personal experiences with fame has shaped the narrative of her final comedy special, offering a candid look at the intersection of comedy, health, and aging.

DeGeneres Reflects on Life’s Challenges

Ultimately, DeGeneres's final special serves as a reflection on the ups and downs of her life, from her career highs to the personal health battles she now faces. While her revelations about OCD, ADHD, and arthritis were new to many viewers, DeGeneres used her trademark humor to ensure that even the most serious subjects were presented in an accessible and entertaining way.

In the end, DeGeneres’s ability to laugh at herself and her circumstances helped her share her message: that it’s okay to confront the realities of aging and health challenges. As she steps away from the public eye, For Your Approval offers a heartfelt, humorous farewell to her fans.

Conclusion

Ellen DeGeneres, at 66, is facing several health challenges, including osteoporosis, arthritis, OCD, and ADHD. These revelations were made during her final comedy special, where she humorously reflected on aging, her personal health journey, and the emotional aftermath of her talk show’s end.

Using comedy to cope, DeGeneres shared personal stories about her father, her struggles with attention deficit, and her experience with therapy.

Despite the difficulties, DeGeneres continues to find humor in her health issues, offering an entertaining yet meaningful reflection on life’s trials.