Many of us were stunned – and then confused – when Bruce Willis, star of the “Die Hard” movie series, announced his retirement from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder.

Understanding aphasia

Having aphasia makes it hard for people to speak, write and find the right words. As an “acquired” disorder, the condition is not present from birth but rather occurs after injury to the brain, such as from a stroke, tumor or hit to the head, according to the National Aphasia Association (NAA).

The NAA says more than 2 million Americans are affected by aphasia, yet few people had heard of the condition until a high-profile actor brought it into the spotlight.

Living with aphasia

Aphasia affects a person’s ability to process language. It does not affect their intelligence.

“Patients with aphasia experience changes in their ability to communicate that can be progressive,” says Dr. Abdullah H. Lakhani, a board-certified neurologist with Community Health Partners. “They may struggle to find words, speak in incomplete sentences and say things that make no sense,” he adds.
 

Getting help

If you think you or a loved one has aphasia, it’s best to consult a primary care doctor, who can examine you and possibly refer you to a specialist. Treatment for those with aphasia typically involves therapy to recover communication skills.

Community Medical Centers’ speech language therapy teams work hand-in-hand with neurologists like Dr. Lakhani to help evaluate and restore function lost due to disorders like aphasia. Speech therapists also do language assessments before surgery to help minimize language disruption during brain surgery.

In addition, the NAA offers a downloadable two-part guide to aid in communication with aphasia patients.

Aphasia-Friendly Communication, Part One
Aphasia-Friendly Communication, Part Two