Bravery Never Goes Out Of Style

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

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Recently I have added a few links to the right of the page for my favorite foundations and associations. These causes to me are ones that have affected my life and those around me. I have also noticed that many are not fully educated on the disorders, what you can do to help, warning signs, and most importantly to create the courage, if you are suffering, to be strong and go get help. And I am ALWAYS here if anyone needs to speak with me on these issues. I feel like a doctor sometimes I've been through so much and know everything about the diseases I live with.

Getting started I have two amazing sites dealing with depression, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and To Write Love on Her Arms. Beginning with AFSP you will learn about suicide, why it occurs, how to recover from a loved one lost to suicide, and how to donate and help. This is a very sketchy subject. If you haven't been there or you don't have a loved one that's been there then it is sometimes VERY hard to understand. But it's real and the feelings of wanting nothing more than to not live anymore, are no joke. When I go through suicidal states(lets hope I don't ever again), it's a feeling and condition your are in that you cannot get out of.

To Write Love on Her Arms is my absolute favorite organization. They have a huge fan base on facebook and ALWAYS have people to talk to that you can speak with if you are having a tough time. It's also amazing because TWLOHA doesn't focus on one disorder alone. If you notice, say by just knowing someone or watching celebrity rehab or intervention, you will see that one disorder starts the whole chain that links your depression(schizophrenia, bi-polar disease, eating disorder, etc. with your self injury(such as cutting), to your substance abuse, to your thoughts of suicide, to ect. It's to give you hope and connect with others. TWLOHA tours year round to speak in many different cities about their mission and let you know you are not alone!

Human Rights Campaign really needs no introduction. This is highly important to me and I hope to you too. We are all different, we are all beautiful, and we all love. HRC is a huge organization that concentrates on having a nation where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community. This slowly beginning to change in some areas but there is still soo much knowledge we need to bring to people. This is one of the reason I loved Cali. Everyone was free out there. Free of judgement, free of hurt.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a great organization for educating yourself whether you need help, someone you know, or you would like just to deepen your education on the subject. Substance abuse is fucked up. Really fucked up. And the worst part is sometimes you just can't quit. You won't even be getting high anymore but you are in a out of your min train of thought. A lot of research has been done on this topic. You can actually have substance abuse just on it's own but it most of the time comes with a mental disorder. Ex: A high percentage of people suffering from Bi-polar Disorder have the addictive gene. If they are on a manic phase they are often overtly sexual and are taking many drugs. Gosh....umm let me think of someone with substance abuse. When I think addiction, I often think of people with a lot of creative input, so let's just say Johnny Depp. Depp is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He also has gone through bouts of depression and liked cutting. As you see now, Depp has completely removed himself from where he could enter back into that atmosphere where he knows he could relapse. It's not easy though. You can go through 5 rehab stints until you finally give in to the treatment. Most don't make it on their 1st shot. It is a horrible disease and I hope everyone educates themselves on this topic. Detox sucks, living without the love of your life(your drug) sucks, and trying to stay clean sucks.

If everyone could please go over the links and read and educate yourself on these particular matters, I would be highly grateful. Also, like always, if you want to message me about one of these matters please do. Like I said, I've lived through it all. Here's to everyone getting through whatever you all may be going through right now and going to get help.

Peace&Love
S