Avril Lavigne broke down in tears while speaking of her struggle with Lyme disease for the first time on television this week.
The 30-year-old Canadian singer, who became severely ill last October, said she visited numerous doctors who couldn't diagnose her. Instead, they thought she might be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome or depression.
"This is what they do to a lot of people that have Lyme disease. They don't have an answer for them so they tell them, like, 'You're crazy,' " she said during an appearance on Good Morning America.
Lyme disease, which is transmitted through an infected tick, affects about 300,000 people per year in the United States, according to statistics. This only amounts for the reported cases.
While the disease can cause serious health problems like joint pain and nerve issues, diagnosis can be difficult since symptoms often mimic other illnesses.
After much anguish from two months of experiencing flu-like symptoms, Lavigne decided to research on her own and found a Lyme disease specialist. She's now halfway through her antibiotic treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
"I think for me it's like a second shot at life," she said. "I want to go out there and truly do what I love. So I'm so excited for life after this."
Watch her interview below and please SHARE to spread awareness about Lyme disease.
