- Bella Hadid opened up on Instagram about her years-long struggle with Lyme disease.
- Hadid shared a health update with fans after completing over 100 days of treatment for her condition.
Bella Hadid got candid on social media by opening up about her years-long struggle with chronic Lyme disease.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, the 26-year-old model shared a health update with her fans after completing over 100 days of medical treatment for her condition.
"The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself," Hadid wrote in the caption, alongside photos of herself with an IV drip in her arm as well as her old medical records.
The model has been on extended medical leave in recent months to focus on her health, E News reported.
Hadid was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, her mother Yolanda Hadid revealed at the 2015 Global Lyme Alliance inaugural gala, per USA Today. Yolanda and her youngest son Anwar Hadid also have Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is spread to humans through the bites of infected black-legged ticks. Symptoms include a bulls-eye rash, fever, chills, as well as aching joints and general fatigue.
"Living in this state, worsening with time and work while trying to make myself, my family, and the people who support me, proud, had taken a toll on me in ways I can't really explain," Hadid wrote in her caption. "To be that sad and sick with the most blessings/privilege/opportunity/love around me was quite possibly the most confusing thing ever."
The model added that she was grateful to her mother for her support, and reassured fans that she's doing alright.
"One thing I want to express to you all is that 1: I am okay and you do not have to worry, and 2: I wouldn't change anything for the world. If I had to go through all of this again, to get here, to this exact moment I'm in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again. It made me who I am today," Hadid said.
"I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life , this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease, co-infection treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I'm able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself, for the first time ever," she added.
Hadid's message ended with a thank you to her fans, her agents, as well as her medical team — with a promise that she'll return soon.
"I'll be back when I'm ready. I miss you all so much. I love you all so much," the model said.