Bella Hadid has apologized to fans after an emotional social media post about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease left followers worried about her health, also opening up about the “severe isolation and depression” she suffered while battling the chronic illness.
Bella Hadid apologizes after fans express concern
Following the backlash from fans, the 29-year-old returned to Instagram to reassure her followers and apologize for causing concern.
“I know it sounds annoying, but the whole truth is that this is my reality, so it’s something I’m now able to handle to the best of my ability,” she wrote. “I’m sorry if I startled anyone. It’s really been an ebb and flow, every day, for me for the last 15 years. There was a tremendous amount of emotion in my mind about not being able to do things that my mind is capable of doing, but my body is not capable of doing.” Tribune.
Hadid also expressed gratitude for the support she received, saying, “Every day is a new day and I’m hoping, God willing, that tomorrow will be better. I love you guys so much, thank you so much for your support. I didn’t expect it, but I’m really grateful. I love you guys so much.”
In an earlier post, Hadid described the impact of the latest flare-up, saying she was “out of breath on the way to the kitchen” and that taking a shower without fainting felt like “a really big accomplishment.”
She shared, “I haven’t been able to get over this flare-up… I’ve slept for 11 hours. Then… I’ve taken every protocol from every doctor I’ve seen. Still no help.”
She also wrote, “I don’t think there’s a single brain cell working and my last two cells are messing with each other, so I’m sorry if I ever journaled about a bad day. I take it back and I’m sorry.” In another message, Hadid explained that discussing her condition remains “scary and difficult” because “nothing feels certain” now that treatments and protocols that previously helped have stopped working.
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Bella Hadid opens up about isolation, depression and chronic illness
The model, who was diagnosed with the chronic tick-borne illness in 2013 at the age of 16, had earlier opened up about her mental health “difficulties” in a lengthy Instagram Story statement on Thursday. “I wish it weren’t so scary and hard to explain the pain/fatigue/exhaustion/anxiety/brain fog/insecurities that come with chronic illness/co-infections/mental health trauma, etc,” she told her followers. page six.
Hadid gives tearful update after describing her chronic illness battle and the “impossible” [for others] To fully understand, according to Page Six, she paired it with a tearful selfie before sharing some of the bright spots of her day, a fuzzy poncho, and a gift from a friend.
“Slept for 11 hours. Then… took every protocol from every doctor I’ve seen. Still no help,” she captioned the close-up shot. Hadid, who was out of breath as she headed to the kitchen, quipped that her “last two” brain cells were “crashing into each other.” She added, “I took a shower without passing out… so again, if you know you know… it felt like a really big accomplishment for me today.”
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Hadid has previously spoken publicly about living with Lyme disease, which she says causes severe joint pain, anxiety, brain fog, extreme fatigue and other symptoms. According to Page Six, she posted shocking photos of herself in the hospital in September 2025, captioning the carousel, “I’m sorry I always go MIA, I love you guys.” Her sister Gigi Hadid commented that she hoped Bella would “feel as strong and good as she can.” [she] to be eligible[s],” while her mom, Yolanda Hadid, called Bella a “Lyme Warrior”
While hospitalized in 2023, Bella wrote that “the greatest blessing/privilege/opportunity/love around is being sad and sick [her] Probably the most confusing thing ever,” according to Page Six.
Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, and brother, Anwar Hadid, have also been diagnosed with the chronic disease. Yolanda, who revealed Bella and Anwar were battling Lyme disease in 2015, also suffers from the disease herself.