In a TV interview, former Disney star Demi Lovato said she is in a great place mentally after going through a battle with bipolar disorder for years.
Now the spokesperson for the Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health campaign, Lovato talked about her personal struggles in the past, saying she's been open about her story because she believes being honest will let her reach more people who may be going through the same things she did. Lovato added that mental illnesses are generally not talked about so she wished more people would understand that it's not someone's choice.
She spent time in rehab in 2010 to address physical and emotional issues. Months after her stint, it was revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But instead of making herself feel burdened, Lovato recounted smiling and thinking the diagnosis was great because it meant that there was nothing wrong with her as a person.
"It's actually just a condition that I have and I can do something to fix it. I don't have to be like this forever," said the 22-year-old.
Lovato thanked her fans for their unconditional support throughout her recovery. She also credited Wilmer Valderrama, her boyfriend, with her getting better, pointing out she wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him. Aside from bipolar disorder, Lovato also struggled with eating disorders. She was obsessing over food but highly terrified of it and it was Valderrama that called her out, steering her down to the road to recovery.
"I went through a lot of stuff when I was young, but I'm so glad that I did, so that I can, you know, live a longer, happier, healthy life sooner rather than later," she added.
As Lovato understands very well what it feels like to hit rock bottom, it makes her the perfect face for the Be Vocal campaign. She has teamed up with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Mental Health America, The JED Foundation, the National Council for Behavioral Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals to help individuals and communities alike to advocate for greater awareness in mental health. The campaign started out as The Mental Health Listening & Engagement Tour in 2014.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by shifts in energy, activity and mood levels so dramatic that a person's ability to go through day-to-day tasks is affected. According to the Be Vocal campaign, 12.6 million people are living with the disorder.
Photo: Neon Tommy | Flickr
