Bella Hadid apologises after emotional Lyme disease flare-up post worries fans

Bella Hadid apologised for worrying fans after sharing emotional update about her ongoing Lyme disease flare-up

Bella Hadid has apologised to fans after an emotional social media post about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease prompted concern over her health.

The model, who was diagnosed with the chronic tick-borne illness in 2013 when she was 16, recently shared a tearful selfie on her Instagram Stories while describing a flare-up of symptoms.

Alongside the image, Hadid revealed she had diagnosed herself "with 12 other things" and said that none of the advice or treatment protocols she had received from doctors appeared to be helping.

Following the response from fans, the 29-year-old returned to Instagram to reassure her followers and apologise for causing worry.

"I know it sounds jarring, but in full truth it's my reality so it's something I'm able to cope with to a capacity now," she wrote.

"I'm sorry if I startled anyone. This truly is an every day, ebb and (flow), for me for the past 15 years. I just had an overwhelming amount of emotion over not being able to do the things my mind is capable of setting, but my body is not capable of doing."

Hadid also expressed gratitude for the support she received, adding, "Every day is a new day and tomorrow I'm hoping for, God willing, a better one. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your support. I wasn't expecting it, but I'm truly grateful. I love you guys so much."

In her earlier posts, Hadid described the impact of the latest flare-up, saying she was "out of breath walking to the kitchen" and that taking a shower without fainting felt like "a really big accomplishment."

"Haven't been able to shake off this flare up... Slept 11 hours. Again... Nap everyday. Took every protocol from any and every doctor I've seen. Still nothing helping," she shared.

She also wrote, "I don't think there's a singular brain cell in there working and my last two are beefing with each other so I'm sorry if I ever told you on a bad day to journal I take it back and I'm sorry."

In another message, Hadid explained that discussing her condition remained "intimidating and difficult" because "nothing feels certain" now that treatments and protocols that previously helped have stopped working.

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.

Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, and brother, Anwar Hadid, have also been diagnosed with the chronic illness.