Céline Dion reveals more about her health, treating stiff person syndrome, in new interview
Canadian singer Céline Dion discusses her long-term struggle with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that caused severe pain and forced her to cancel performances. She is currently undergoing an intensive recovery regimen and plans to return to the stage in September.
Why it matters
The article highlights the personal challenges of a global icon dealing with a rare, debilitating condition, raising awareness for autoimmune disorders.
The Canadian superstar disclosed in an exclusive Harper's Bazaar profile that she had symptoms of stiff person syndrome for 17 years before she was formally diagnosed in 2022 with the rare neurological autoimmune disorder.
The pain, which began flaring up in 2020, was so severe that some days she could barely walk, she told the magazine. At times, she needed a high dose of Valium to function.
Stiff person syndrome is a progressive disorder that generally gets worse over time. It affects one or two people out of every million. Symptoms can include rigid muscles and painful spasms, triggered by stress, loud noises or sudden movement. There is no clear cause, and no regulator-approved treatment specifically for the condition, though other therapies can help manage it.
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