I am very impressed by this adorable young Disney star. Eighteen year old, Demi Lovato, has been very brave and opened up to her fans and viewers about some personal problems she has been facing. Instead of hiding or lying like most, Demi has stepped up and spoke to America about the many issues that are kept hush hush around Hollywood, and hopefully helping those who do keep their problems in the dark be able to open up. Having such a role model will hopefully lead to more young adults stepping up and speaking about the troubles they may be going through and the diseases that are kept quiet.
After all the talk of Catherine Zeta Jones speaking up about being Bipolar, a younger very wise woman followed in her footsteps. Demi Lovato, star of Disney's 'Sonny With A Chance', talked about her recent experience in treatment. Suffering from depression, anorexia, bulimia, and cutting; Demi found out in her latest treatment that she was also Bipolar. Not only does she live with these issues everyday, Demi was one of the bravest 18 year old I know by speaking up about it. It's very hard at that age to talk to others about such topics and with her doing so hopefully more teens and young adults will feel much more ease talking about their own illnesses.
She battled with depression from a very young age along with her love/hate relationship with food. Cutting was also something she did to ease the pain inside. While getting 3 months of in-patient treatment for her eating disorder, she also found out that she suffers from the disease Bipolar. "I never found out until I went into treatment that I was bipolar. Looking back it makes sense. There were times when I was so manic, I was writing seven songs in one night and I'd be up until 5.30 in the morning." Now she is undergoing treatment for her diagnosis and feels that what is most important to her at this time is to help others. She is wise and brave beyond her years. Demi, in my book, is a true superstar in every right!!!
If you are a new reader to "And Who Are You Again", this is first and foremost a place that I created to talk openly about my own disorders and let others come and read and hopefully discuss or write to me in private about the mental diseases they may be facing or have been already diagnosed. After I left treatment two years ago I immediately went into wanting to express myself, my very imperfect self, to people which lead to a lot of readers opening up to me, giving both of us a place to talk and vent. Living with cutting, addiction, eating disorder due to nerves, panic disorder, and being bipolar II, sure isn't easy. But I am very free about it. You can ask me just about anything and I am more than willing to help. This year for my birthday I raised $270 through facebook for the cause "Suicide Prevention and Awareness". That is very dear to my heart with chronic depression being so prevalent in my life. I did not know who Demi Lovato was until yesterday but to me she is a hero for speaking up and helping others be okay with what they may be suffering from. You do not have to have a mental disorder to help either. If you know or have known anyone that is/was ill from a mental disease or even if you do not, you can take the 1st step in gaining knowledge on the subjects and bring awareness to others. Living with these disorders is not a walk in the park and you will, even when in control, have a handful of bad days. On the bright side though you, well I know I did, become VERY VERY strong. I feel as though I can take on anything now from what I have been through beginning at 15. I would love to hear from you if any of you ever need to talk or just get something out. It's no fun living a lie and the first step is admitting you have a problem, which is the most difficult thing you will have to do. Thank you to Demi, Catherine, and the others that are in the spotlight for speaking up and making it a tad easier for others to do so as well.
PEACE & LOVE
S
