(PCM) Demi Lovato may be on top right now, but it hasn’t been an easy road for the 19-year-old. The pop star and X Factor judge opens up in Self, answering questions from Twitter fans about recovering from an eating disorder, cutting herself, and finding happiness in the public eye.
Check out a few highlights from the fan-based interview below!
On going public with her eating disorder:
“I’ve spent the past two years getting over an eating disorder and issues like self-harming and bipolar disorder. Unlike a person who doesn’t have these problems, I have to work on this stuff every day. I’m reminded of that whenever I eat or feel down.
When I was younger, stick-figure thin was in and nobody was talking about eating disorders. I want girls to know that it’s OK when they grow up and their body changes. I want them to be aware that certain things they might do to lose weight can be dangerous—life-threatening, even.”
On cutting:
“There were times I felt so anxious, almost like I was crawling out of my skin, that if I didn’t do something physical to match the way I felt inside, I would explode. I cut myself to take my mind off that. I just didn’t care what happened. I had no fear.”
What it was like to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder:
“Finding out I had a real emotional disorder helped me put together the pieces of the puzzle. I remember being on my tour bus thinking, My life is so awesome right now, but I’m so depressed. Then, a few days later, I’d be on top of the world. It was really confusing. When I got diagnosed, my life made more sense.”
On working towards happiness:
“You can choose to work toward happiness or not. I used to expect it to come to me, but it takes more than seeing a therapist once a week. I make time for myself and meditate. And I haven’t used my cell in three months! Subconsciously, it was a crutch. When a room gets quiet, what do you do? Grab your phone! Now I can sit and have conversations with people.”
For the full interview, visit Self.com!
photo courtesy Self
