Photo: Getty Images
Bella Hadid is sharing a vulnerable look at the effects of chronic illness.
The 29-year-old model shared a series of posts to her Instagram Stories on Thursday (June 25) giving followers a look into the harsh reality of living with a chronic illness as she battles a Lyme disease flare-up, from exhaustion, brain fog and insecurities to anxiety, trauma and co-infections that she said leads to "severe isolation and depression, especially over long periods of time," per People.
In a tearful close-up selfie, Hadid said she has not been able to "shake off this flare up" despite taking "every protocol from any and every doctor I've seen," detailing how she slept for 11 hours yet keeps napping, being out of breath walking to her kitchen and being unable to journal because "I don't think there's a singular brain cell in there working and my last two are beefing with each other."
However, Hadid also offered a word of encouragement for others who may be facing similar struggles to let them know they are not alone.
"So if you're reading this and quietly fighting a battle no one else can see, I want you to know that I see you," she said. "There is light, even if you can't see it today... There is hope, I feel it sometimes even when I'm at my lowest... as so many have said... I have to remind myself that healing isn't linear."
She continued, "I just wanted to come on here to say, anyone struggling the way I have, or in ways entirely your own: you are loved. You are needed. Your life has purpose. And you will make it through every season life puts you through."