Bella Hadid describes ‘excruciating pain' of living with Lyme disease
LONDON: Dutch-Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid has described living with chronic pain due to Lyme disease in an interview with Vogue.
Hadid, 28, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2012. Her mother Yolanda and brother Anwar were also diagnosed.
The supermodel told the magazine that she suffers from headaches, brain fog, light and noise sensitivity, inflammation and joint pain.
Lyme disease can also cause depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which Hadid has also reportedly suffered from. The condition is a bacterial infection that can spread to humans through infected ticks.
Hadid said she often feels down on herself 'for being so sensitive,' adding: 'I think nobody really understands chronic illness. It's hard to take a shower most days, which I promise, guys, if you're reading this, I shower every day.
'But sometimes, if I have one day off, if I can get in the shower and make myself breakfast, I see that as an accomplishment.'
In 2020, Hadid used Instagram to describe the illness as an 'invisible disease.' She shared a diagram outlining the symptoms, saying: 'Everyday I feel at least 10 of these attributes without fail ... since I was probably 14, but more aggressively when I turned 18.'
Symptoms often subside months after an infection, but a minority of people who are diagnosed can experience them for years.
Hadid told Vogue: 'Our interview today was at 3 p.m. I was in excruciating pain until 11 a.m. and had a very tough morning.'
The illness is usually treated with a course of antibiotics prescribed by a GP. Those experiencing severe symptoms may be given stronger antibiotics.
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