Demi Lovato Says Bipolar Disorder Is Part Of ‘Who I Am’

Demi Lovato is on a mission to educate the world about mental illness.

While some people are deeply ashamed to admit that they suffer from depression or bipolar disorder, the former Sonny with a Chance star doesn’t have a problem discussing the topic with the public. In fact, Lovato believes that she can help others by opening up about her own personal struggles with the masses.

According to E! Online, Demi talked about the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder while promoting her Clean & Clear Campaign. The singer revealed that the success she’s enjoyed in her career doesn’t push away the problems she faces on a regular basis.

In fact, Lovato said her mental illness is an everyday part of life.

“It’s a part of who I am. And you know, whether this campaign is about people having mental illness or not having one at all, I think that everyone can relate. And that covers people who are suffering from mental illnesses or people who are just struggling…. It’s important to have people around you that are going to be there for support in times like that. I look up to a lot of people around me, my best friends, family.”

This certainly isn’t the first time Demi Lovato has discussed her struggle with bipolar disorder. Whenever the singer has a chance to tackle the subject, she doesn’t hesitate to share her experiences with others. She told Cosmopolitan for Latinas earlier this year that it’s something she deals with every day.

“It’s a daily thing. I treat it with medication. Not everybody does that, but for me it works. That’s what works for me — medicating, checking in with people, being honest, and being grateful for things.”

As if mental illness wasn’t enough to keep Demi Lovato busy, she also deals with staying drug and alcohol free. While the singer has managed to stay away from these temptations, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel a strong pull to indulge in these vices.

“It’s one day at a time. If I think that I am never going to be able to have a glass of wine with dinner, I get anxious. And sometimes I do feel like I want to go to a bar and have some shots, but I know where I will be in six weeks’ or six months’ time if I do. We are a different breed, we alcoholics, but it is just like having any other disease — you have to learn to live with it.”

One thing is for certain: Demi Lovato proves that you can overcome addiction and cope with mental illness as long as you’re willing to face these issues one step at a time.

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