American supermodel Bella Hadid has once again found herself at the centre of public speculation after sharing photos from hospital on Instagram, raising concerns among fans and reigniting debate over her health.
On September 17, the 28-year-old model posted a carousel of images ranging from serene rainbow skies to stark glimpses of medical treatment - IV drips, an oxygen mask, and bandages.
Other shots showed her resting in a hospital bed, playing cards with family, or sipping coffee in a lift. In the caption, she wrote: "Sorry I always go MIA. I love you guys."
The post quickly went viral, triggering a wave of concern but also fuelling an online divide. While many supporters flooded the comments with messages of love and prayers for her recovery, others speculated about the true nature of her condition.
On X (formerly Twitter), some users suggested that her symptoms pointed to anorexia or kidney issues rather than Lyme disease. A handful even accused her of exaggerating her illness for attention.
Hadid has long maintained that she suffers from chronic Lyme disease, a diagnosis she shares with her mother, Yolanda Hadid, and brother, Anwar.
In a 2022 interview with British Vogue, she spoke candidly about its toll, describing mornings of "excruciating pain until 11am" and admitting that everyday tasks like showering often felt overwhelming.
Despite such accounts, scepticism persists — reflecting a broader cultural debate over invisible illnesses and the risks of armchair diagnosis on social media.
Medical experts caution against speculation. According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia bacteria transmitted through tick bites. While early antibiotic treatment is effective, untreated cases can lead to long-term complications including fatigue, joint pain, headaches, and neurological issues.
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