What kind of disease does Kelly Ripa have? Answering the question

September 22, 2025 •

4 min read

Mental health struggles affect millions, with conditions like anxiety being incredibly widespread. Over the years, beloved television personality Kelly Ripa has been remarkably open about her own health experiences, addressing the question of what kind of disease does Kelly Ripa have.

Quick Summary

Kelly Ripa has publicly shared her diagnosis of several health conditions, most notably a severe case of social anxiety disorder, misophonia, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She has bravely used her platform to shed light on her mental and physical health challenges.

Key Points

Social Anxiety Disorder: Kelly Ripa has revealed she has a severe case of social anxiety, which can cause physical pain, fatigue, and intense distress, despite her extroverted on-screen persona.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Ripa suffers from PCOS, a hormonal disorder, and once passed out and was hospitalized due to ruptured ovarian cysts, a known complication of the condition.
Misophonia: She also has misophonia, a neurological condition that causes a strong emotional reaction to specific sounds, which she first disclosed in 2011.
Therapy and Self-Advocacy: Ripa credits therapy with helping her manage her mental health, specifically teaching her self-advocacy and how to reframe negative situations.
Health Transparency: By being open about her mental and physical health struggles, Ripa has helped raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding these conditions.
Overcoming Acute Events: Beyond her chronic conditions, she has also publicly shared stories of acute incidents, such as fainting on-air and experiencing a severe case of laryngitis.

Kelly Ripa's Public Health Disclosures

For decades, Kelly Ripa has been a familiar face in American households as the dynamic and energetic host of morning television. However, away from the camera, Ripa has navigated a number of personal health challenges, which she has courageously chosen to discuss publicly. Her openness has provided insight into the struggles that can affect anyone, regardless of their public persona.

The Impact of Social Anxiety Disorder

In her 2022 memoir, Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories, and subsequent interviews, Kelly Ripa revealed she has a 'severe case of social anxiety disorder.' This disclosure was surprising to many fans who see her as a bubbly extrovert on television, but Ripa explains it as a distinction between her professional persona and her private life. She described often feeling awkward or saying inappropriate things when under duress, a common experience for those with this condition. Ripa has found solace in therapy, which she credits with helping her manage the disorder and embrace self-advocacy.

Ripa's Description: She noted that her anxiety caused physical pain, lack of energy, and overwhelming feelings, sometimes leading to crying spells, and a general inability to get out of bed.
Coping Mechanisms: Through therapy, she learned how to process and reframe negative interactions, understanding that others' toxicity was not a reflection of her own worth.
Healthy Narcissism: Her therapist also introduced the concept of 'healthy narcissism,' a survival tool that allows a person to prioritize their own needs and make safe choices.

Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Another significant health issue Ripa has shared is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Ripa discussed her experience in her memoir, recounting a specific and traumatic event. She passed out during a sexual encounter with her husband, Mark Consuelos, and woke up in a hospital emergency room. The cause was determined to be two ruptured ovarian cysts, which are a common symptom of PCOS. This experience was not only painful but also embarrassing due to the strange outfit her husband dressed her in for the ambulance ride.

Symptoms of PCOS: While the experience with ruptured cysts was dramatic, PCOS often involves a range of symptoms, including irregular periods, excess androgen, and polycystic ovaries. For Ripa, this manifested in significant pain and a hospitalization that highlighted the severity of her condition.
Raising Awareness: By sharing this intensely personal story, Ripa contributed to raising awareness about PCOS, a condition that many women face privately.

What is Misophonia?

In 2011, Kelly Ripa disclosed that she suffers from misophonia, a condition that literally means 'hatred of sound.' It is a neurological disorder in which certain everyday sounds trigger an emotional or physiological response that can range from annoyance to extreme anger. It is distinct from hyperacusis, which is an overall sensitivity to loud sounds. For Ripa, this means certain noises, such as chewing or other repeated sounds, can be particularly distressing. The condition has become more widely discussed in recent years, partly due to celebrities like Ripa sharing their experiences.

Other Health Scares and Events

Beyond her diagnoses, Ripa has faced other, more acute health events that have garnered public attention. These instances, while not long-term diseases, provide further context for her health journey and her commitment to staying well.

Laryngitis Incident: In late 2023, Ripa missed several episodes of her talk show due to a sudden illness. Her husband, Mark Consuelos, confirmed she was battling laryngitis. The brief absence caused a stir among fans, highlighting her consistent presence on screen. Ripa later joked about her 'angry patient' behavior during the illness.
On-Air Fainting: In a separate event years earlier, Ripa famously passed out on air during a segment with the Jonas Brothers. This was caused by an adverse reaction to an anti-nausea shot she received from a hotel doctor while sick with a flu bug. She described the experience as embarrassing and recalled waking up the next day with no memory of being carried off set.

Comparing Different Health Challenges

Celebrity health issues often draw public attention, and Kelly Ripa's journey showcases the difference between managing chronic conditions and recovering from acute events. Here is a comparison of her experiences:


Feature	Social Anxiety Disorder	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)	Laryngitis	Ruptured Ovarian Cysts
Type	Mental Health Condition	Chronic Hormonal Disorder	Acute Illness	Acute Event from Chronic Disorder
Duration	Long-term, managed with therapy	Long-term, managed via lifestyle or medication	Short-term	Short-term, but linked to PCOS
Symptoms	Physical pain, fatigue, intense feelings under duress	Irregular periods, cysts, hormonal issues	Sore throat, hoarseness, fever	Intense pain, fainting
Impact	Affects daily functioning and perceptions	Can impact fertility and overall health	Temporary loss of voice and energy	Emergency hospitalization and recovery

The Importance of Public Dialogue on Health

Kelly Ripa's willingness to discuss her struggles publicly serves a greater purpose. By opening up about her experiences with social anxiety, PCOS, and other health issues, she helps destigmatize these conditions and encourages others to seek help. Her story reminds the public that mental and physical health are intertwined and require ongoing attention and care. Ripa's journey is a powerful example of how public figures can leverage their platform for positive change, promoting awareness and empathy for conditions that many people face in silence.

For more information on anxiety disorders and treatment options, please visit the National Institute of Mental Health website at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/.

In conclusion, Kelly Ripa does not have a single disease but rather manages multiple health conditions. Her journey includes navigating a severe case of social anxiety disorder with the help of therapy, living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and managing misophonia. Her candidness in sharing these personal stories, including embarrassing acute events like fainting from ruptured cysts and an anti-nausea shot, has made her a relatable figure and a powerful advocate for health awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Kelly Ripa has been very open about her struggle with a severe case of social anxiety disorder. She has spoken about the impact it has on her personal life in her memoir and interviews.

Misophonia is a neurological disorder where specific sounds, such as chewing or tapping, can trigger intense negative emotional and physiological responses. Kelly Ripa first disclosed her diagnosis in 2011.

Kelly Ripa has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She once had two ovarian cysts rupture, causing her to pass out during a sexual encounter with her husband, which led to an emergency room visit.

In late 2023, Kelly Ripa missed several episodes of her show due to a sudden illness. Her husband, Mark Consuelos, later revealed that she was recovering from a case of laryngitis.

Yes, in 2014, Kelly Ripa passed out on her show during a segment. She later explained that it was a side effect of an anti-nausea shot she received from a doctor while having a flu bug.

Ripa has spoken extensively about how therapy has helped her manage her social anxiety. It has provided her with coping mechanisms, a healthier perspective, and an understanding of self-advocacy.

The main takeaway is her transparency and courage in discussing her struggles. Her openness helps destigmatize mental and physical health conditions, encouraging others to seek help and prioritize their own well-being.