Culture & Society · 6 Intermediate · October 21, 2026

Christina Applegate Discovers Her MS Diagnosis Was Wrong

Photo: Wikimedia Commons via Wikimedia Commons

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Vocabulary

multiple sclerosis ˈmʌltəpəl skləˈroʊsɪs noun

a serious disease of the nervous system that affects movement and body functions

Applegate spent five years believing she had multiple sclerosis before discovering her diagnosis was incorrect.

autoimmune disease ˌɔtoʊɪˈmjun dɪˈziz noun

an illness in which the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells

MS is an autoimmune disease that doctors must carefully diagnose through multiple tests.

misdiagnosis ˌmɪsdaɪəgˈnoʊsɪs noun

an incorrect identification of a disease or medical condition

Research indicates that misdiagnosis is a recognized problem in medicine, with fifteen to twenty percent of MS patients initially diagnosed incorrectly.

biological marker ˌbaɪoʊˈlɑdʒɪkəl ˈmɑrkər noun

a measurable sign in the body that indicates a disease or condition

MS is difficult to diagnose correctly because there is no single definitive biological marker.

vitamin B12 deficiency ˈvɪtəmɪn ˌbiˈtwelv dɪˈfɪʃənsi noun

a lack of sufficient vitamin B12 in the body, which can cause health problems

White spots on brain scans may indicate other conditions such as migraines, high blood pressure, or vitamin B12 deficiency.

fresh investigation ˈfrɛʃ ɪnˈvɛstɪˌgeɪʃən noun

a new and complete examination or inquiry into something

Doctors now plan to begin a fresh investigation to determine what is actually causing Applegate's ongoing symptoms.

Article

Actress Christina Applegate, famous for her roles in Anchorman and Married With Children, spent five years believing she had multiple sclerosis, or MS. Recently, she discovered that her diagnosis had been incorrect. Applegate learned this after her doctor suggested she stop taking medication for MS to observe how her body would respond. When her symptoms did not improve as expected, doctors investigated further and concluded she did not actually have the autoimmune disease.

How Misdiagnosis Happens

MS is difficult to diagnose correctly because there is no single definitive test. Doctors must look for specific symptoms and patterns rather than relying on a clear biological marker. Brain scans often reveal white spots that can suggest MS, but these same spots may indicate other conditions such as migraines, high blood pressure, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Research indicates that fifteen to twenty percent of patients initially diagnosed with MS do not actually have the disease, making misdiagnosis a recognized problem in medicine.

The Emotional Impact

Applegate described being emotional and unhappy upon learning her diagnosis was wrong, despite some people celebrating the news. Experts explain that a long-term diagnosis becomes part of a patient's identity, offering a kind of certainty about their condition. Discovering the diagnosis was false left Applegate confused and uncertain about what is actually causing her ongoing symptoms. Doctors now plan to begin a fresh investigation to determine her real diagnosis, putting her back at the beginning of her medical journey.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Applegate felt unhappy about discovering her MS diagnosis was wrong, even though it meant she did not have the disease?
What does the article suggest about why MS is so commonly misdiagnosed compared to other illnesses?
How might spending five years with an incorrect diagnosis have affected Applegate's life and choices?
According to the doctors quoted, why is MS described as a 'diagnosis of exclusion' rather than a simple test result?
If you were misdiagnosed with a serious illness and then found out it was wrong, what would be your greatest concern moving forward?

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