Suffering from aphasia has been compared to residing in a state where you are unable to communicate with people. And many people are now aware of this disease.
Other modes of communication, such as movements, gestures, or sign language, might not be very helpful. And those who wish to support you find it difficult to comprehend.
After receiving an aphasia diagnosis, Bruce Willis announced his retirement from a four-decade film career, bringing attention to the little-known condition. His diagnosis may help minimize the taboo of invisible illnesses and contribute to enhanced understanding of a difficult, isolated ailment that affects nearly 2 million Americans, according to those living with aphasia and also their caregivers and campaigners for therapy of the illness.
According to Darlene Williamson, volunteer president of the National Aphasia Assn., a charitable organization that supports sufferers and their caregivers, Willis’ diagnosis has already resulted in a surge of popularity in the illness. The Willis family’s news recalls decisions made by other famous people regarding their health, such as Betty Ford’s fight with breast cancer in 1974, Michael J. Fox’s admittance of having Parkinson’s disease in 1998, and Angelina Jolie’s prophylactic double mastectomy in 2013.
“How many people have ever heard of aphasia? Pitifully few,” Williamson said. “If you tell someone, ‘I have aphasia,’ they have no idea what it is. Just for the word itself to be meaningful is a huge desire for our community.”
More about Aphasia
Aphasia is not really a cognitive condition and has no impact on IQ. The illness makes it challenging to talk, find the right words, and comprehend what is spoken or written, and is most usually brought on by strokes or other types of brain trauma. Aphasia can also be caused by neurodegenerative disorders that impair cognition.
The communication problems that come from both varieties of aphasia can cause anger, embarrassment, and discomfort.
The disorder is less well-known but more prevalent than Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. According to a National Aphasia Association survey conducted 2 years ago, 86.2% of Americans had never heard of aphasia and only 7% understood it was a communication issue.
There are many different ways that aphasia can impact someone and be cured. Mendez reported seeing three different aphasia patients in one day later, each with their own unique symptoms: the first had trouble remembering certain words, the second had altered pronunciation, and the third simply had trouble understanding what the doctor was saying.
The patient who struggled to remember terms was nonetheless able to communicate by using other words to explain himself, making him a strong contender for speech therapy. A “very difficult conversation with his wife” resulted from the patient’s visit, who had trouble understanding words.
With appropriate assistance, some aphasia patients might be able to resume their jobs.
