Demi Lovato Reveals She Has Bipolar Disorder

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted Apr 20th 2011 07:00PM

Just days after commending fellow actress Catherine Zeta-Jones for sharing her struggle with bipolar disorder, Demi Lovato revealed she too suffers from the disorder.

The 18-year-old Disney star told PEOPLE about her diagnosis in a recent interview: "I never found out until I went into treatment that I was bipolar." Lovato spent three months in a residential center undergoing therapy for anorexia, bulimia and depression.

"Looking back it makes sense," she told PEOPLE about her diagnosis. "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."

"I feel like I am in control now where my whole life I wasn't in control," she added.

When news of Zeta-Jones' diagnosis made headlines several days ago, Lovato took to her Twitter to show her support. "I don't know Catherine Zeta-Jones personally but what she has decided to do it SO brave," Lovato tweeted. "And SO difficult but worth it... I'm proud of her."

The 'Sonny With a Chance' star also urged those in need to lean on supportive friends and family."If you are going through that dark period, go to your family and closest friends," she told Seventeen. "Don't put yourself in danger."

On Wednesday, Zeta-Jones said she hoped being candid about her condition will helps other seek treatment. "This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them," Zeta-Jones told PEOPLE. "If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help."

It was reported last week that Zeta-Jones checked into Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Conn., for treatment of the disorder.

Tags: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Demi Lovato

Comments

(59)

Wednesday 20 April

By KT`

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OMG !! I knew there must of been a reason for her to attack her dance. Someone so sweet and talented as Demi would`nt just attack someone for no reason..Good thing Demi takeing the steps to get better..YAYYYY DEMI !!!!

By tony

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must be a call for attention like ole girl czj,funny how these things happen.

Thursday 21 April

By crafashion.com gucci lv parada fashion

I'm cynical but Demi has been out for a while and she brings this up now? It seems timed to ride on the coattails of the Academy Award winning CZJ.

By ppang6

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The 'Sonny With a Chance' star also urged those in need to lean on supportive friends and family."If you are going through that dark period, go to your family and closest friends," she told Seventeen. "Don't put yourself in danger."I love reading this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agelessc'upid.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By lilslicko

From what I have read she is not "bipolar". MY mom whos been a nurse for 25 years said the samething. our family doctor whos a family friend whould say the same since he hears alot "I'm Biopolar". I have not heared alot about this just this article so can't really say but Bipolar does not mean one second your mad and then the next your ok. Bipolar last alot longer then a few seconds.

By Mylie

Get a job at wally world. Your a loser and stop crying about how disadvantaged you are.

By Denzel

you handled it well, glad it is under control:)

By Rusty

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So does my son, but we didn't alert the media!!!

By JennyT

That would be because your son is not newsworthy.

By RICHARD

I AM BIPOLOR AND PROUND OF IT MAYBE YOUR SON CAN ALERT THE MEDIA
IT MIGHT PEOPLE WHO R IN HELL HOLES AND ON DRUGS. THEY KEEP CLOSING ALL THIS FACITYS WHERE IS A PERSON TO GO, WHEN YOU CANT AFFORD A FANCY HOSPITAL THAT DRUG YOU UP. BELIVE IM BEEN THER MANY TIMES THANK GOD FOR MY FATHERS INSURANCE OTHER WISE II WOULDNT OF KNOWN WHAT TO DO. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND SHOULDNT BE TREATED DIFFERNTLY. AS LONG AS PEOPLE TAKE THERE MEDS AND SEE THERE DOCTORS AND DO BOOLD TESTS EVERYTHING WOULD BE FINE , I MYSELF LOVE THE HIGH SIDE BUT ONLY GETS ME IN TROUBLE. I VOULENTEER FROM OUR CHURCH IN ADDISN ADDSION PRESBERTERY CHURCH. WE FEED PADS MEN AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN IT IS A DISCUSSTING THING WHEN PEOPLE AS TO GO TO THESE PLACES. BUT THEY HAVE NO WHERE TO GO THE GOVERMENT NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING AND WHAT DO THEY DO TO THESE PLACES THEY CLOSE DOWN LIKE A CHURCH OR A WAYWARD HOME. THIS REALLY MAKES ME MAD. IF I HAD THE MONEY ID SURE DOSOMETHING TO FEED CLOTH AN DGIVE GOOD FOOD AND A PLACE TO SATY FOR EVER AND WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THEM. TELL ME HOW IS YOUR SON?

By BeerBelly

Glad I am not in the TV/ movie industy,they seem to be all bi-polar, molested, addicted to sex, to drugs and the list goes on. Not a fun life if you ask me.

By Kat2988

I so agree with you beerbelly, all of them seem to have some excuse for their odd behavior, never seen so many tragedies!

By Stuart

demi lovato is a talentless butt ugly mexican skank. she is making up all sorts of lies about he personal life for attention. she need to take some of her money and get her face fixed starting with that ridiculous nose, before it falls in her mouth

By smartmolly

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She is not Mexican at all. She is from Chile, very different cultures.

By djk2

Another bimbo starlet trying to get media attention, nothing more.

By tim

Demi is a very beautiful and talented young lady that has openly admitted that like the rest of us, she is not perfect. Who will cast the first stone? I know that I'am certainly unfit to do so.

Bi polar must be the celebrity ailment of the week this week!

By Jay

What they have is Psychiatrists who need money.

By Lori

And you need one. So what's your point?

By Robert Skillstad

Bipolar - she likes having sex with bisexual Eskimos.

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