Ellen DeGeneres opened up about her health in her 2024 Netflix comedy special For Your Approval, revealing that she has been diagnosed with three conditions affecting both her physical and mental well-being.
Once hailed as an LGBTQ+ trailblazer, DeGeneres dominated daytime television for nearly two decades with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which earned 171 Emmy nominations and left a lasting impact on the genre. However, by the mid-2010s, growing public scrutiny and backlash began to reshape her public image, and her once-unstoppable popularity declined.
In recent years, the comedian has shifted her focus toward her health. She revealed that she was diagnosed with osteoporosis after undergoing a bone density scan. The condition weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures, something she joked about by saying she felt “like a human sandcastle.” She initially experienced severe pain and feared a torn ligament, but further testing confirmed osteoporosis rather than a simple injury.
DeGeneres also shared that she has arthritis, which contributed to the same episode of intense discomfort. Doctors told her the condition can develop with age, a reality she admitted is difficult to accept while trying to stay “cool” about getting older.
Beyond physical health issues, DeGeneres discussed her mental health, explaining that therapy led to a diagnosis of OCD. She described compulsive tendencies and extreme organization, adding that she didn’t fully understand the disorder at first. She also suggested the behavior might run in her family, recalling how her father repeatedly checked locks and appliances before leaving the house.
In addition, she revealed she has ADHD, a condition that affects focus and attention. DeGeneres joked that her tendency to obsess over things — combined with difficulty maintaining concentration — somehow balances out, even as she acknowledged memory lapses and scattered attention.
The special also touched on her life after stepping away from the spotlight. Following controversy surrounding her talk show, DeGeneres has embraced a quieter lifestyle and reportedly relocated to the English countryside with her wife, Portia de Rossi. While she remains a polarizing public figure, her candid discussion of osteoporosis, arthritis, OCD, and ADHD offered fans a more personal glimpse into the challenges she’s navigating today.
