Bruce Willis, the beloved Hollywood actor, has recently been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. This announcement comes less than a year after Willis retired from acting due to developing aphasia, a brain disorder affecting your speaking ability. Sadly, his family released a statement explaining that his condition has progressed into this new diagnosis.
Bruce Willis Diagnosed With Frontotemporal Dementia
On Thursday, the family of actor Bruce Willis announced that he had been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). FTD is a type of dementia that affects the brain’s temporal lobes and can cause language problems, such as aphasia. According to his wife, Heming Willis, he began to show symptoms last year and was officially diagnosed this week. She emphasized that despite his diagnosis, he is still living life to the fullest. This news came as quite a shock for fans of Bruce Willis, who have seen him act in so many movies over the past few decades. His wife Emma also released a statement expressing her support for him and thanking everyone for their well wishes. While FTD is an irreversible condition, it can be managed through treatment plans tailored specifically to each individual’s needs. (1)
Bruce Willis was diagnosed with Aphasia in the spring of 2022, which has progressed to Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). This cruel disease affects the front and sides of the brain and can lead to behavior, communication, and language changes. The family has been vocal about his diagnosis, as they want to draw attention to this degeneration that is often overlooked. On the FTD Degeneration website, which is dedicated to helping those affected by FTD and their families, Willis’s family expressed their gratitude for all the support they have received since his diagnosis. With a clear diagnosis of FTD at hand, now comes the task of managing his condition – one that will affect his ability to communicate effectively due to an associated aphasia.
Always With His Family’s Support
Willis is very lucky to have so much support from his family. Along with his children, he has ongoing love and support from his current wife, Emma Hemming, and ex-wife, actress Demi Moore. His eldest daughter with first wife, Rumer Willis, posted a photo of her father on her Instagram with an update on his condition. In her announcement, she also thanked those who have supported them thus far.
Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis. In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.
Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis. (2)
More On Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a group of disorders caused by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal lobe and other regions of the brain. Symptoms include changes in behavior and language, such as aphasia diagnosis. The Willis family has spoken out about their shock at this diagnosis, but they remain hopeful that Bruce will receive all the help he needs to cope with his disease. Previous research has shown that frontotemporal dementia can affect people differently depending on which brain regions are affected, but it is still an incurable condition that affects many people worldwide. Although there is no cure for this disease, medical professionals are constantly researching ways to improve treatments for those affected. (3)
FTD is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which can lead to changes in personality and difficulty with communication. Close researchers of Willis’s condition hope he will respond well to treatment, as several related conditions can be managed effectively. The National Institute on Aging and a group of neurologists from BU Medical Center have begun researching possible treatments for FTD and other similar disorders. With the support of his family and friends, it is hoped that Bruce Willis will be able to manage his condition as best he can under these new circumstances.
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Sources
- “Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, family says.” CBS News. C.Mandler. February 16, 2023.
- Instagram. rumerwillis.
- “What Are Frontotemporal Disorders? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” NIH
Correction Notice (05/25/2023): This article erroneously indicated that Emma Heming Willis is Bruce Willis’s daughter when she is his wife. The error has been corrected.