Brandi Glanville Battles ‘Deep Depression’ Amid Facial Disfigurement Struggles
Brandi Glanville has opened up about her ongoing health challenges, revealing the physical and emotional toll of her mysterious facial disfigurement.
Brandi Glanville has opened up about her health battles. Credit: Paul Archuleta / Getty
The 52-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star shared her journey during an appearance on PageSix’s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast, where she detailed her struggles with a condition she suspects is caused by a “parasitic” infection.
A Mysterious Health Crisis
Earlier this month, Glanville posted a candid photo on X (formerly Twitter), showing the effects of her facial condition. Accompanying the image, she expressed frustration and heartbreak over the lack of answers despite countless doctor visits over the past 18 months.
“Some [doctors] say I have a parasite that jumps around my face. Some say it’s stress-induced edema. I personally say it’s Bravo,” she joked, referencing the TV network behind her rise to fame.
Glanville revealed that she restarted antibiotics after noticing her face “sinking in” again.
“I prefer [my face] when it’s a little swollen, to be honest,” she admitted. “When it’s only swollen on one side, it’s not great. But the sinking-in thing is killing me slowly because I just feel like I look like a crackhead.”
Credit: BrandiGlanville/X
Mental Health and Isolation
The toll of her condition hasn’t been limited to physical changes.
Glanville described her descent into a “deep, deep depression” and how the illness has affected her mental health and relationships.
“The pain is more mental than anything. I’ve been hiding and avoiding social gatherings. Even if I could work, I couldn’t at this point. It’s been a really rough two years for me.”
She shared how she’s had to wear a mask around her two sons, Mason, 21, and Jake, 17, to shield them from seeing her “scary” face.
“They’d try to calm me down and say I look normal, but I knew better. My face went from being swollen to now, like, sinking in.”
Glanville is working with several doctors. Credit: Santiago Felipe / Getty
Seeking Solutions
Glanville is working with Dr. Nicholas Nikolov, a Los Angeles-based plastic surgeon, who is employing CellSound technology to address the damage caused by her condition.
“What we are treating here is the damage from her infections,” explained Dr. Nikolov. “By improving blood flow, we’re healing the tissue. And by healing it, of course, it looks and feels better right away.”
Although the treatment doesn’t target parasites, it’s focused on rejuvenating damaged cells and improving overall tissue health.
“We just want Brandi to feel like Brandi again. We’re hopeful and confident that we can make that happen,” he added.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, Glanville remains hopeful for a brighter future. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, she shared her aspirations for 2025:
“Honestly, health is wealth, and that’s all I want.”
Fans have rallied around the star on social media, commending her for her vulnerability and sending well wishes for her recovery.
Featured Image Credit: Paul Archuleta / Getty
