Wendy Williams's Diagnosis: Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Not applicable, Not applicable United States of America
She is still able to do many things for herself, including maintaining her trademark sense of humor and receiving the care she requires.
The National Institute on Aging states that FTD is caused by damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, with symptoms such as unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work or walking.
Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Wendy Williams's Diagnosis: Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). She is still able to do many things for herself, including maintaining her trademark sense of humor and receiving the care she requires. The National Institute on Aging states that FTD is caused by damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, with symptoms such as unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work or walking.



Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if Wendy Williams has any other health conditions that may be contributing to her diagnosis.
  • The exact cause of FTD is not fully understood, so it's possible that there are other factors at play.

Sources

77%

  • Unique Points
    • Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
    • Bruce Willis was also diagnosed with the same kind of dementia as Wendy williams
    • Questions about Wendy's ability to process information were raised over the past few years, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it implies that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with the same type of dementia as Bruce Willis when there is no evidence to suggest this. Secondly, the article quotes Wanda Finnie stating that Wendy Williams is now in a much better place and is in greater shape than what is depicted in the documentary, which contradicts statements made by Wendy herself about her condition. Lastly, the article uses sensationalism when it states that many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding.
    • The article implies that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with the same type of dementia as Bruce Willis. However, there is no evidence to suggest this.
    • Wanda Finnie states that Wendy Williams is now in a much better place and is in greater shape than what is depicted in the documentary. This contradicts statements made by Wendy herself about her condition.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Bruce Willis was also diagnosed with the same kind of dementia as Wendy Williams without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either Wendy is suffering from dementia or she is not. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric when it describes Wendy's behavior and cognitive abilities as
    • The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy,
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses the phrase 'frontotemporal dementia' which is a term that has been criticized for being too vague and not specific enough to describe the condition accurately. Additionally, the author mentions Bruce Willis who was also diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, implying that there may be some monetary bias at play as he is likely wealthy and able to afford better medical care than others. The article also uses language such as 'stigma' which implies a negative judgment towards those with the condition.
    • The author mentions Bruce Willis who was also diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, implying that there may be some monetary bias at play as he is likely wealthy and able to afford better medical care than others.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as they are reporting on Wendy Williams who was diagnosed with these conditions. The article does not disclose this conflict.

      79%

      • Unique Points
        • Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
        • Aphasia affects language and communication abilities.
        • Frontotemporal dementia refers to diseases primarily affecting frontal and temporal lobes of brain, causing behavioral changes, language difficulties.
        • Wendy Williams is still able to do many things for herself.
      • Accuracy
        • Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022 which progressed to frontotemporal dementia.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (80%)
        The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) without providing any evidence or citation for this information. Additionally, the author makes use of inflammatory rhetoric when describing Wendy's behavior on her talk show in the past years, such as passing out and exhibiting slurred speech. The article also contains examples of dichotomous depiction by stating that Wendy is both incapacitated and has an executive producer credit on the documentary. Lastly, there are several instances where the author uses inflammatory rhetoric to describe Wendy's behavior on her talk show in the past years.
        • The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) without providing any evidence or citation for this information.
      • Bias (85%)
        The author Suzy Byrne demonstrates a clear bias against Wendy Williams in this article. The author repeatedly implies that Wendy's struggles are due to her own actions and choices rather than medical conditions or external circumstances.
        • `Both conditions have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life, according to the statement.`
          • `Filming halted in April 2023 when Williams was found in her apartment with her eyes rolled back into her head, producers told People magazine. Williams was put into a facility to treat cognitive issues, which her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., said in the film are connected to alcohol use.`
            • `In the trailer for the doc, Williams seems confused and becomes angry when asked if she drank a bottle of alcohol in a day. Her family members express concern over her cognitive abilities, as well as her inner circle and guardian.`
              • `Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The television personality was diagnosed with both conditions last year 'after undergoing a battery of medical tests,' according to a press release.`
                • `Williams didn't host the final season of her eponymous talk show from August 2021 to June 2022. She kept postponing her return to the purple throne she commanded for 12 years and worried fans as she was snapped needing assistance coming and going from wellness centers.`
                  • `Williams’ finances were frozen by her former wealth manager at Wells Fargo, who claimed she was ‘incapacitated’ and ‘of unsound mind,’ resulting in the TV star being put under guardianship.`
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    Suzy Byrne has a conflict of interest on the topic of Wendy Williams's health issues as she is reporting on her diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia. The article also mentions Bruce Willis who was diagnosed with FTD in 2023 after his aphasia worsened.
                    • Suzy Byrne reports on Wendy Williams's diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia. The article also mentions Bruce Willis who was diagnosed with FTD in 2023 after his aphasia worsened.
                      • The Mayo Clinic is mentioned as the source of information on FTD, which could be seen as an affiliation between Suzy Byrne and the clinic.
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        Suzy Byrne has a conflict of interest on the topics of Wendy Williams and health issues as she is an author for Yahoo Entertainment. She also has a personal relationship with Actor Bruce Willis who was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023 after his aphasia worsened.
                        • Suzy Byrne is the author of articles on Wendy Williams and health issues for Yahoo Entertainment.

                        85%

                        • Unique Points
                          • Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
                          • Actor Bruce Willis was also diagnosed with the same kind of dementia as Wendy Williams
                          • Questions about Wendy's ability to process information were raised over the past few years, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions
                        • Accuracy
                          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                        • Deception (50%)
                          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources or quote them directly. Secondly, they use sensationalist language such as 'significant hurdles' and 'difficulty with language', which implies that Wendy Williams has a severe condition when there is no evidence to support this claim in the article. Thirdly, the author uses anecdotal information about Bruce Willis's diagnosis without providing any context or comparison between their conditions. Lastly, they use emotional manipulation by stating that Wendy Williams maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving care despite not disclosing what specific treatments she is undergoing.
                          • The article uses sensationalist language such as 'significant hurdles' and 'difficulty with language', which implies that Wendy Williams has a severe condition when there is no evidence to support this claim in the article. For example, it states:
                        • Fallacies (85%)
                          The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Wendy Williams' diagnoses were confirmed by her current care team and the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine. This implies that these individuals are experts in their field and have a high level of credibility, which is not necessarily true. Additionally, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric when it states that receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive medical care she requires. This statement suggests that without her diagnoses, she would not be able to receive treatment or improve her health. However, this is an oversimplification and does not take into account other factors such as insurance coverage or accessibility of healthcare services.
                          • The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Wendy Williams' diagnoses were confirmed by her current care team and the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine. This implies that these individuals are experts in their field and have a high level of credibility, which is not necessarily true.
                          • The article contains inflammatory rhetoric when it states that receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive medical care she requires. This statement suggests that without her diagnoses, she would not be able to receive treatment or improve her health. However, this is an oversimplification and does not take into account other factors such as insurance coverage or accessibility of healthcare services.
                        • Bias (100%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication

                        84%

                        • Unique Points
                          • Wendy Williams has been living under a legal guardianship since May 2022
                          • Her court-appointed legal guardian is the only person who currently has unfettered access to her
                          • The decision to share Wendy's dementia diagnosis was made to advocate for understanding and compassion for her
                        • Accuracy
                          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                        • Deception (50%)
                          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it presents Wendy Williams as a victim of her guardianship when she has been involved in financial mismanagement and alcoholism issues that led to the appointment of her legal guardian. Secondly, the article quotes Wanda Finnie stating that 'How did she go from this aunt or sister that we love and is healthy one minute to this person who's in and out of the hospital?' without providing any context for Wendy Williams' health issues. This statement implies that Wendy Williams has been faking her illness, which is not true. Thirdly, the article quotes Wanda Finnie stating 'How is that system better than the family could put in place? I don’t know.' without providing any information on what the family could have done differently to prevent Wendy's guardianship. This statement implies that the legal guardian system is flawed and not effective, which may be true but needs more context to make a definitive conclusion.
                          • The article quotes Wanda Finnie stating 'How did she go from this aunt or sister that we love and is healthy one minute to this person who's in and out of the hospital?' without providing any context for Wendy Williams' health issues. This statement implies that Wendy Williams has been faking her illness, which is not true.
                          • The article presents Wendy Williams as a victim of her guardianship when she has been involved in financial mismanagement and alcoholism issues that led to the appointment of her legal guardian. This is deceptive because it implies that Wendy Williams did not contribute to her own downfall.
                          • The article quotes Wanda Finnie stating 'How is that system better than the family could put in place? I don’t know.' without providing any information on what the family could have done differently to prevent Wendy's guardianship. This statement implies that the legal guardian system is flawed and not effective, which may be true but needs more context to make a definitive conclusion.
                        • Fallacies (100%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                        • Bias (85%)
                          The article is biased towards Wendy Williams and her family's fight to regain control of her life. The author uses language that dehumanizes the guardian appointed by the court such as 'unknown facility', 'disheveled', and 'adamant about drinking'. Additionally, there are multiple instances where Wanda Finnie makes statements that express a strong dislike for the current system in place.
                          • The author uses language like
                          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication

                          90%

                          • Unique Points
                            • Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
                            • She is still able to do many things for herself, including maintaining her trademark sense of humor and receiving the care she requires.
                            • The National Institute on Aging states that FTD is caused by damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, with symptoms such as unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work or walking.
                          • Accuracy
                            • Aphasia affects language and communication abilities, while FTD impacts behavior and cognitive functions
                            • Bruce Willis was also diagnosed with the same kind of dementia as Wendy Williams
                          • Deception (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Fallacies (85%)
                            The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the National Institute on Aging defines Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and aphasia. However, this is not true as there are different definitions of these conditions in various medical organizations. Additionally, the author quotes Bruce Willis' diagnosis without providing any context or information about his condition which could be used to support their own argument. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Wendy Williams has been
                            • Bias (85%)
                              The article contains several examples of bias. Firstly, the author uses language that dehumanizes Wendy Williams by describing her as having 'unusual behaviors' and 'emotional problems'. This is a clear example of emotional bias. Secondly, the author quotes Bruce Willis revealing his diagnosis with FTD which implies an endorsement or approval of this condition. This could be seen as monetary bias if it were suggested that Wendy Williams was being paid to promote FTD in some way. Thirdly, there is a clear example of religious bias when the article mentions 'prayers' and 'good wishes' for Wendy Williams which implies an endorsement or approval of prayer as a form of treatment for her condition.
                              • The author quotes Bruce Willis revealing his diagnosis with FTD which implies an endorsement or approval of this condition. This could be seen as monetary bias if it were suggested that Wendy Williams was being paid to promote FTD in some way.
                                • The author uses language that dehumanizes Wendy Williams by describing her as having 'unusual behaviors' and 'emotional problems'.
                                  • There is a clear example of religious bias when the article mentions 'prayers' and 'good wishes' for Wendy Williams which implies an endorsement or approval of prayer as a form of treatment for her condition.
                                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                    None Found At Time Of Publication