Bella Hadid<\/strong><\/a> has spoken candidly about her struggles with Lyme disease over the years.<\/p>\n The model was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012 at age 16. Bella, however, wasn\u2019t the only one in her family who has been publicly battling the illness. Her mother, Yolanda Hadid<\/strong><\/a>, confirmed at the Global Lyme Alliance Gala in 2015 that Bella and brother Anwar Hadid<\/strong> were dealing with the debilitating disease.<\/p>\n Bella\u2019s sister Gigi Hadid<\/strong><\/a> later praised her for prioritizing her health<\/a>. \u201cBella just finished a long and intense treatment for Lyme disease,\u201d Gigi wrote via Instagram in August 2023 about Bella\u2019s break from the runway. \u201c(Didn\u2019t want some to take my post as a promise she\u2019ll be back for shows this next season\u2026) I\u2019m so proud of her and excited for her comeback whenever she feels ready.\u201d<\/p>\n That same month, Bella offered a glimpse at her treatment in an effort to encourage others<\/a> going through the same experience.<\/p>\n \u201cThe universe works in the most painful and beautiful ways but I need to say that if you are struggling \u2014 it will get better, I promise,\u201d she wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of her getting IV treatments. \u201cTake a step away, stay strong, have faith in your path, walk in your truth and the clouds will start to clear up.\u201d<\/p>\n Bella concluded: \u201cAlmost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I\u2019m 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. \u2026 I\u2019ll be back when I\u2019m ready. I miss you all so much. I love you all so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Scroll down for details about Bella\u2019s battle with Lyme disease in her own words:<\/p>\n One month after her mother revealed her diagnosis, Bella broke her silence about the health struggle.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt affected my memory, so I suddenly wouldn\u2019t remember how to drive to Santa Monica from Malibu, where I lived,\u201d Bella recalled in a 2015 interview with ES Magazine<\/em>. \u201cI couldn\u2019t ride [horses]. I was just too sick. And I had to sell my horse because I couldn\u2019t take care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUsually I\u2019ll wake up from some kind of bone pain, then have to fall back asleep. I\u2019ll fall back asleep, then sleep until 12 p.m., but that\u2019s just with a 14-hour sleep already [and] I\u2019m still tired,\u201d Bella exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> in 2016.<\/p>\n Bella went on to say that she still found herself shaking while on red carpets<\/a>, adding, \u201cI mean, I\u2019ll call my mom a lot of times and be like, \u2018I really don\u2019t wanna go to work today. Please don\u2019t make me go.\u2019 And she\u2019ll say, \u2018You know what, You have to do it today. You already committed.\u2019 I end up going, but I\u2019ll nap during lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n During an interview with Porter<\/em> in 2017, Bella detailed the first few months following her diagnosis. \u201cThat was the hardest time of my life,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n In March 2023, Bella went through a flare-up after a root canal surgery<\/a> resulted in a tooth infection.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a low-grade infection underneath the tooth, NEXT to the tooth I thought was suffering, which is the one I got a root canal on a year ago,\u201d she captioned a TikTok at the time. \u201cThis made my Lyme flare up, which means the Lyme is attacking the places that are suffering ie tooth, jaw, gut, brain, spine, bones, etc oh and the entire nervous system.\u201d<\/p>\n Bella continued: \u201cAny minor trauma to the body whether it\u2019s physically or mentally can cause Lyme to flare up \u2026 Lyme flare ups happen all the time, so that doesn\u2019t worry me, it\u2019s more-so the jaw situation and how radiating the pain is especially with the Lyme \u2026 When my jaw\/nerves started to hurt on an aggressive level; it just went 0-100.\u201d<\/p>\n Amid her Lyme disease flare-up, Bella discussed what symptoms she has faced over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cMy skin changes color, I break out randomly, I get (what feels like) lesions, lethargy, chronic anxiety, zero motivation or purpose, leaky gut, adrenals, depressed,\u201d she explained via Instagram in March 2023.<\/p>\n![\"Bella](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Bella-Hadid-Lyme-Disease-Battle-4.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Getting Candid<\/h3>\n
Affecting Her Career<\/h3>\n
Facing Major Challenges<\/h3>\n
Dealing With Her Health<\/h3>\n
![\"Bella](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Bella-Hadid-Lyme-Disease-Battle-2.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Listing Her Symptoms<\/h3>\n
Reflecting on How Far She Has Come<\/h3>\n
![\"Bella](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Bella-Hadid-Lyme-Disease-Battle-3.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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