Bella Hadid once again opened up about the emotional weight of living with Lyme disease, her chronic companion since 2012 when she was just 16 years old. Alongside her mother, Yolanda Hadid, and her brother, Anwar Hadid, Bella has bravely faced the diagnosis that can often be misunderstood as a mere inconvenience.
On November 14th, the 28-year-old model took to Instagram to share a candid glimpse into her ongoing struggle with the illness, revealing that even after years of treatment, she still experiences "medical anxiety." In her Instagram Stories, she shared two posts reflecting on her day-to-day challenges.
The first was a meme that read: "When your chronic illness is chronic illness-ing and someone says 'it's always something with you' — like… yes… one might say the illness is… chronic." The model let the post speak for itself, but in her second Story, she got more personal. She reposted a message from influencer Alexandra Wildeson about the "duality" of living with chronic illness and added her own reaction: "The medical anxiety is soooooo real. Thank you for putting every one of my thoughts and daily situations into one swipe. The truuuuuth!"
Lyme disease, transmitted through tick bites, can wreak havoc on one's life with symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety. For years, Bella has been vocal about how her condition has impacted her life and career. Her mother, Yolanda, previously told People magazine that the illness can "bring you to your knees," recalling how she watched her daughter battle through exhaustion and chronic pain.
In September, Bella updated fans with photos from a hospital bed as she continued her treatment for Lyme disease. The images showed her hooked up to IV bags, with the caption: "I'm sorry, I always go MIA. I love you guys." A few days later, the model shared another update showing her walking on a treadmill for the first time in months. "Just walking, but still! Getting my stamina back," she wrote.
Bella's journey with Lyme disease is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Her honesty and bravery in sharing her struggles inspire others to do the same and seek support when needed.
