The family of Bruce Willis revealed on Thursday that the actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in an emotional social media post.
The Die Hard star, 67, was diagnosed with a condition last spring called aphasia, which affects speech. Because of this, the Hollywood actor said he'd be 'stepping away' from his career - but his health has now deteriorated further.
Upon releasing the statement, Bruce's family said they hoped it would raise awareness of the condition, which the NHS says is one of the more "uncommon" forms of dementia. The charity Dementia UK has said in a tweet that by speaking openly about his diagnosis, Bruce is helping to do just that.
FTD tends to affect people slightly younger than other types of the condition, and is often diagnosed in people aged 45 to 65.
"FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone," wrote the Willis family. "For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know."
According to the NHS, FTD is known for causing problems with behaviour and language. Like other forms of dementia, it develops slowly and gradually gets worse over the years.
Here's everything you need to know following the actor's diagnosis, including symptoms and treatments.
Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia
FTD typically affects the front and sides of the brain. It's caused by clumps of abnormal protein forming in the brain cells, which damage them and stop them from working properly.
Some of the most common symptoms, according to the NHS, are:
- Personality and behaviour changes – acting inappropriately or impulsively, appearing selfish or unsympathetic, neglecting personal hygiene, overeating, or loss of motivation
- Language problems – speaking slowly, struggling to make the right sounds when saying a word, getting words in the wrong order, or using words incorrectly
- Problems with mental abilities – getting distracted easily, struggling with planning and organisation
- Memory problems – these only tend to occur later on, unlike more common forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.
There is a chance the disease could also cause physical problems, such as slow or stiff movements, loss of bladder or bowel control, muscle weakness or difficulty swallowing.
Daily activities become much more difficult, meaning the person may eventually be unable to look after themselves.
Treatments for frontotemporal dementia
At the moment, there is no absolute cure for FTD or any treatment that helps to slow down the symptoms developing.
However, there are some treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control, potentially for several years.
Some of these include:
- Medicines – to control some of the behavioural problems
- Therapies – such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy for problems with movement, everyday tasks and communication
- Dementia activities – such as memory cafes, which are drop-in sessions for people with memory problems and their carers to get support and advice
- Support groups – who can offer tips on managing symptoms from dementia experts and people living with frontotemporal dementia, and their families
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
