The 17-year-old is speaking out after receiving comments that were meant to degrade her appearance and were based on recent paparazzi pictures, notably ones that prompted some to call her a “catfish.”

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler’s youngest child revealed to fans on TikTok on Sunday that she suffers from an autoimmune condition and a thyroid issue that has caused weight gain.

“Paparazzi will purposely take pictures of you with your mouth open, in the middle of a sentence, and any ugly picture they can get of you just for views,” Alabama claimed. I would love to see you guys get candid photos taken of you as you exit the grocery shop, mouth open and in the middle of a statement… Now let’s examine your aesthetic appeal.

Alabama continued by stating that she has “a thyroid problem and an autoimmune disease,” all of which have contributed to her weight increase. Therefore, she kindly requested that you all keep your opinions to yourself. It will advance you in life.

Alabama added she hoped any young girls viewing her video who are “gaining weight” should not ever “think there’s something wrong with it” after clarifying that her weight “fluctuates.”

There comes a time when you should change something if it’s affecting your health, but no… I would love it if you guys could put themselves in my position because that’s not the case for me,” Alabama said in closing.

She has used TikTok in the past to defend herself, most recently when she faced criticism for a rap song she released in May.

She reminded fans that she was on the road with Barker, 47, when he appeared with Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross in 2011, stating she was “tired” of people suggesting she didn’t understand the genre in a since-deleted video.

I’ve worked in the music business ever since I could walk. I watched my dad play in punk bands, rock bands, rap shows, and everything else,” Alabama said in the video that PEOPLE saw before it appeared to have been removed. “Therefore, for those who claim, ‘Oh, she doesn’t know anything about rap music. Rap music was not a part of her upbringing. What is she doing, and why? Why’s she acting that way? My entire youth was affected by rap, as well as punk rock.

Alabama unveiled a brand-new cross-finger tattoo earlier this month. This honors her maternal grandparents, who passed away a few months apart. Seven months after the death of Moakler’s mother Gail, her father John passed away earlier this month. Alabama wrote “For my grandparents” underneath a picture of her tattoo.