Aphasia is a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The condition is in the forefront this week after actor Bruce Willis’ family announced Willis will retire because of a diagnosis of aphasia.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page, the 67-year-old actor’s family said aphasia is affecting his cognitive abilities.
“As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” read the statement signed by Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five children, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury, but can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage. The severity of aphasia depends on the cause and extent of the brain damage, as well as other factors.
There are many types of aphasia, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with aphasia may have different patterns of strengths and weaknesses.
Expressive aphasia: This is also called Broca’s or nonfluent aphasia. People with this pattern of aphasia may understand what other people say better than they can speak. People with this pattern of aphasia struggle to get words out, speak in very short sentences and omit words. A person might say, “Want food” or “Walk park today.” A listener can usually understand the meaning, but people with this aphasia pattern are often aware of their difficulty communicating and may get frustrated. They may also have right-sided paralysis or weakness.
Comprehensive aphasia: People with this pattern of aphasia (also called fluent or Wernicke’s aphasia) may speak easily and fluently in long, complex sentences that don’t make sense or include unrecognizable, incorrect or unnecessary words. They usually don’t understand spoken language well and often don’t realize others can’t understand them.
Global aphasia: This aphasia pattern is characterized by poor comprehension and difficulty forming words and sentences. Global aphasia results from extensive damage to the brain’s language networks. People with global aphasia have severe disabilities with expression and comprehension.
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