Misdiagnosis, Explained

Does MS Stand for Mystery?

What’s going on: For five years, Christina Applegate has been one of the most visible faces of multiple sclerosis. This week, she shared that her doctors misdiagnosed her — she doesn’t have MS. On MeSsy, the podcast she co-hosts with Jamie-Lynn Sigler (who does have MS), Applegate said she’s “back at square one.” She still needs a wheelchair at doctor’s appointments, and she says her life has “shrunk to the size of [her] California king.” No single test can confirm MS. Doctors look for lesions on an MRI (Applegate has said hers showed about 30) and then rule out every other diagnosis. Even with a scan, there’s room for error: One study found nearly one in five people referred to specialty MS centers had been misdiagnosed.

The overlap problem: MS-like lesions also show up with migraines and radiologically isolated syndrome. Other symptoms like fatigue, numbness, and brain fog can point to lupus, fibromyalgia, or something else entirely. Women are the most likely to get caught in that maze — MS alone is roughly three times more common in women, and about 80% of autoimmune patients are women. When symptoms of chronic illness don’t fit a neat box, they often get chalked up to psychiatric or psychosomatic disorders, and a Cambridge study found that label can wreck patients’ trust in doctors for years. So track your symptoms and write down the dates and what they kept you from doing. If a diagnosis leans hard on a scan, but doesn’t explain everything you feel, ask what else could cause those findings, and get a second opinion.

Related: Multiple Sclerosis: Early Signs and Symptoms (Everyday Health)

PS: Health news moves fast, and your doctor’s appointment is 15 minutes. Skimm Well + Good gets you up to speed so you can make those minutes count. Sign up here.

RIP, Clippy

Is AI Taking a Page from Hello Kitty? 

What's going on: Millennials grew up with Clippy, the paperclip-shaped Microsoft Word “office assistant” that helpfully volunteered to format your document as a letter or resume. Gen Z and Gen Alpha have a variety of AI agents to choose from — and almost all of them look like they’d be right at home in a Pixar movie. There’s Muse’s Labubu-esque Jolly, Grok’s baby alien Groklet, OpenAI’s colorful Dots, Genspark’s lobster-shaped Claw, and Anthropic’s pixelated Clawd. As Business Insider reports, there’s a strategy behind the cuteness: to “make us forget about all that AI doom-and-gloom and learn to love it.” The big-eyed, round-faced characters tap into our hardwired instincts to find babies and puppies adorable. They also pique our nostalgia by reminding us of Tamagotchis, MySpace avatars, and Animal Crossing characters. How could something so sweet steal our data? 

Talk about cute aggression: This strategy isn’t new. BI compares AI mascots to the way Hello Kitty promoted Japan’s image to a worldwide audience enamored by the cat-shaped girl just five apples tall, while The Wall Street Journal draws parallels to pharma mascots (remember the Zoloft blob?). “The character becomes the brand, turning an abstract technology into a recognizable friend,” ad veteran Cheryl Berman told The WSJ. But with polls showing that Americans are deeply skeptical of AI, it might take more than cute characters to shift public opinion. Just look at the timing: Meta launched Jolly in the wake of lawsuits over consumer safety and privacy, and OpenAI released Dots one day after announcing it would scrap the release of its next AI model over safety concerns. In a recent survey, 72% of respondents said they wouldn’t share credit card details with an AI agent. Apparently, that even includes one as cute as Jolly. 

Related: Oops, Your AI Agent Went Shopping With Your Bank Account and Without Your Permission (Engadget)

The She-ist She Shed

Women-Only Spaces, Assemble

What’s going on: If you’d always choose the bear, you’ll be pleased to know women-only gyms are making a comeback. This isn’t your mother’s Curves or the standard Pilates studios — though credit where it’s due for paving the way. These new gyms cater to women adding strength training to their routines, offering a place to lift without the grunts or unsolicited advice from gym bros. Members say they feel less intimidated, free to wear what they want, and supported by female trainers focused on confidence and strength over weight loss. And many offer childcare, sometimes one of the biggest barriers to women working out. 

No boys allowed: The female-first mindset extends well beyond fitness. At a recent concert, The Sex Pistols (made up entirely of men) hosted a women-only mosh pit, so fans wouldn’t have to worry about being “groped by a neanderthal.” In Pennsylvania, a local police department received backlash for hosting a women-only gun safety class, though one of the organizers said it gave women a judgment-free environment to ask questions. Women’s sports bars are popping up all over the country, giving women (and supportive men) a place to cheer on their favorite teams. And when it’s time for the ride home, Uber now lets women request female drivers (imagine the singalongs). It’s not just about getting away from men, it’s about having spaces built specifically for women. 

Related: Women-Only Travel Group Set for an Icy Adventure Across Antarctica (Parade)

The Best Gifts for Your People

Ali, Senior Commerce Director, here. As a self-titled “girl with a good memory,” I put pressure on myself when it comes to buying gifts for my loved ones. I love a callback, and when I hear something like, “I buy coffee out too much” or “I’m trying to work out more,” I immediately file it away. So here are a few gifts I feel really confident will please not only my people, but others:

• The infamous Icon juice glasses (they really are that good)

• Bala Bangles, a classic item they wouldn’t buy themselves but would want to receive

•  The best tech organizer a wire-challenged person could ask for

PS: If you want more options, click here.

Quick Hits

💍 One bride saved a bottle of One Direction perfume she received 13 years ago to wear on her wedding day. Now that really smells like teen spirit.

🐤 Paul Rudd was spotted at Art of Play, the Brooklyn shop recently caught up in drama with Kelly Clarkson. But did he leave with a $15 million bird automaton? 

🥣 Dietitians say these seven foods, including yogurt, miso, and berries, can help support a healthy microbiome. 

🏀 NBA star LaMelo Ball says changing his 9-month-old son's diapers is "not my job," leaving that duty to his girlfriend as part of their parenting “game plan.” Um, crappy play call. 

 🎂 Self-serve "cake sheds" are spreading through the UK, with home bakers selling slices for a few pounds a piece. Now, where’s Paul Hollywood?

🏠 If your holiday hosting prep involves panic-clearing counter space before guests arrive, this is for you. From ancient pantry items to appliances you haven’t used, here’s how to get your home ready.  

🎬 These 31 iconic movie sweaters make us wish for colder weather. No one does it like Harry and Sally.

🎃 Halloweentown 5 is officially in early development at Disney, if you needed another reason to rewatch the first four movies. As Marnie said, Halloween is cool.