Actress Aubrey Plaza, known for her role in Parks and Recreation, faced a terrifying health ordeal at the young age of 20, which she recently discussed on the Howard Stern Show.

During this in-depth interview, Plaza described the sudden onset of a stroke that left her temporarily paralyzed and unable to speak, as Fox News reports.

Plaza's stroke occurred unexpectedly while she was visiting friends in Astoria. She shared the chilling details of how it started abruptly while she still had her jacket on, signifying the swift and unforeseen nature of the event.

The Onset of a Stroke

"It happened mid-sentence," Plaza detailed, recalling how the life-altering incident unfolded with haunting quickness. "I took the train to Astoria to have lunch with my friends, and I walked into their apartment -- I hadn't even taken my jacket off — and it just happened; it was wild," she further elaborated on the shocking experience.

The initial confusion was evident as her body began to betray her. "I was paralyzed, but only really for a minute or something. I lost my motor skills really briefly," Plaza explained, giving insight into the physical implications of the stroke.

The most disturbing aspect for the actress was the sudden loss of speech.

"The freakiest thing was I forgot how to talk," she stated, describing how alienation from her basic motor skills felt. She also noted a strange disconnection from her body, looking at her arm and thinking, "Whose arm is that? It's not connected to my body."

Challenges in Recognizing the Stroke

Despite the severity of the stroke, Plaza recounted how her friends and the responding paramedics initially misunderstood the gravity of her condition.

Given her history of humor and practical jokes, her friends thought she was playing a prank when she struggled to communicate and control her limbs.

"My friends actually thought I was kidding because I was always doing like weird jokes, and they were like, 'cut it out,'" she expressed their initial disbelief. The paramedics, too, did not immediately recognize the signs of a stroke.

"The paramedics thought I had been on drugs since I was so young and the possibility of a stroke was not the first thing that crossed their minds," Plaza remarked, highlighting a common misconception about the demographic profile typical of stroke victims.

Diagnosis and Recovery Process

The immediate aftermath of the stroke involved a brief encounter with expressive aphasia, a condition impeding her ability to communicate effectively. Plaza faced challenges in speech, which was particularly frightening for the young actress.

Doctors initially struggled with pinpointing the exact cause of the stroke. Some theorized it could be linked to hormonal imbalances or migraines, which added layers of uncertainty to her recovery.

Following her initial recovery, Plaza continued to experience transient ischemic attacks, often referred to as "mini-strokes." These incidents kept her vigilant about her health as her career progressed.

Aubrey Plaza’s Career Post-Stoke

Despite the life-altering experience, Plaza's career flourished. She not only overcame the immediate physical challenges but also continued to perform brilliantly, landing roles in significant film projects.

One such notable project is her role in Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. Discussing her unexpected casting, Plaza shared her disbelief and excitement.

"I thought, 'How am I on his radar?' And then I never thought I would actually get that part. I was like, 'Well, I'll do the meeting, of course,' but I didn't think I was going to get the part and I was actually shocked when I got it," Plaza conveyed her surprise and gratitude for the opportunity.

This incident not only highlighted her resilience but also brought attention to the fact that strokes can affect anyone at any age, potentially altering life paths in unforeseen ways.