‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Opens Up On Self-Harming

Pretty Little Liars actress, Troian Bellisario is making an important revelation about herself that may just help her teen audience. Bellisario recently opened up to Seventeen magazine about self-harming herself during her teen years.

Bellisario, 28, opened up about the usually taboo subject by detailing just how much of a difficult time she had during her teen years, and it seems like most of it stemmed with a lack of self-confidence. “I started self-harming when I was a junior. I would withhold food or withhold going out with my friends, based on how well I did that day in school.”

The Pretty Little Liars continued:

“I didn’t know what was right and what was wrong, so I think I created this bizarre system of checks and balances to create order in my world. But it really backfired.”

Although she has grown up and realizes the reasons behind her self-harm, Bellisario still admits that there are days where it’s still hard for her. The actress explained that there are moments that she’s still self-critical. Most of the critique centers around her work, particularly while she’s on the set of her ABC family show Pretty Little Liars:

“Sometimes I feel like I’m trying too hard, like I don’t belong. I just look around at Lucy [Hale], Shay [Mitchell] and Ashley [Benson], and I’m just like, ‘Why am I on this show?’ Sometimes I’ve felt like a fraud. “I’m not like these other girls,” she continues. “I don’t dress like that and don’t know how to do my hair. The minute I’m off that stage, I try to get as ‘me’ as possible. I do that by piling on my black eyeliner, and I put on my ripped tights. Dressing like myself again helps.”

So what helps ground the actress? The star said she finds comfort in the people she can count on, like her family and friends. Now that she’s older, Bellisario does have some perspective on her self-perception.

“You have to remember what’s most important in life. I am loved by so many people and have a wonderful job. I know I’m incredibly blessed. I am a completely lucky human being.”

[Image credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com]