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)

Thursday 21 April

By dickn2000b

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Bipolar disorder seems to be the latest "fashionable disease." Decades ago I was diagnosed with manic depression, the former name for bipolar disorder. I was given lithium, the treatment of the day. It made me feel like crap all of the time. Eventually I stopped the medication and ignored the diagnosis. In a relatively short time the "manic depression" disappeared.

Sunday 24 April

By Ashley

What year were you diagnosed and how old were you at the time?? because bipolar has been very difficult to diagnose and many doctors have misdiagnosed it. Just recently we have been able to more accurately give a bipolar diagnosis

By Steven

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Unless you have the disorder (which is diagnosed not only by a psychiatrist..but also blood work needs to be done as well, due to a chemical missing in your brain)..you have no idea what you are talking about. This goes out to all of the haters, and those who think that bipolar disorder is another 'disease of the week'. We who suffer from it manage it day by day, and while there are days that it is hard to control and we do need help (i.e. Catherine Zeta Jones, Demi Lovato, Linda Hamilton, Charlie Pride, Patty Duke and countless others), it is a very real part of our psyche. We do not ask for your sympathy, just your understanding. And if you cannot give us that, you have no business being a part of our lives. Plain and simple.

By Ms. Jordan

Thank you Steven. I too am bipolar. It took close to 20 yrs for me to be correctly diagnosed then put on the proper medication. I actually diagnosed myself after having read Patty Duke's book, "Call Me Anna," where I read so many symptoms like mine. I did a web search on famous people with bipolar disorder and discovered Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Edgar Allen Poe, Montgomery Clift and many other "creative people" all had bipolar disorder. These 2 actresses given courage to others suffering with bipolar disorder and I applaud them.

By Yesiam

Another load of crap to cover up her bad behaviour.

By Kari

She is so fishing for support. She is pulling all the stops to stay in the spotlight. She is not talented at all, so she should just get her treatment and go away.

By MANUEL

All politicians are bipolar: they say one thing and they do another.

By Sally

There are rare cases of Bipolar Disorder. Take out all the imitation additives, food coloring, chemicals. Eat healthy foods and there will be anything that resembles Bipolar activity. Take out medication that is not natural. Find your vitamin deficiencies and your brain and body will work well.

I mean there will be nothing that resembles Bipolar activity.

By Raishel

To those who question the timing of her statement: Bipolar Disorder is still a highly stigmatized disease. Maybe Ms. Zeta-Jone's own announcement earlier this week gave Ms. Lovato the courage to talk about her own struggles with the disease.

I wish both of them well.

By whiskyworm

I like what Charlie said about 'bipolar' ?what is that? for I have been diagnosed twice myself, yet that field of thought, psychiatry, failed to convince me that they knew what they were talking about, and that their methodology was flawed. Little thing like claiming a person has a 'chemical imbalance' in their brain when they do not have a test to verify that claim. They really do not.

By Susan Jay

Lately it seems everyone in Hollywood is bipolar,abused as a child,molested or something.Latest publicity fad?

By JennyT

Many mentally ill people don't think they are. That's part of the disease.

By Bob

Bipolar disorder= An excuse women use for their whacked out behavior. It's genetic gals, get over urselves......

Saturday 23 April

By Karren

The Demi Lovato interviews (were "snippets" from the 20/20 show to air on April 22) which Demi did with Robin Roberts & for 20/20 to appear on Friday night (4-22 @ 10 PM EST) were "pre-recorded" about 2 to 3 weeks back. The fact that Demi seemingly just acknowledged her "bi-polar" issues (and sent Katherine Zeta-Jones an encouraging tweet when Zeta-Jones revealed her struggle with Bi-Polar II at the beginning of this week (4-18-11) & that Zeta-Jones had been at a hospital (Silver Hills Hospital in Canaan, Conn.) prior to 4-18...anyhow ...Demi had already been diagnosed while at Timberline Knolls in Illinois for the months of November, December 2010 And January 2011 (90 days). Actually, Demi had already shared (pre-recorded) with the GMA, 20/20, Seventeen & People prior to Zeta-Jones "revelation" of "Bi-Polarism". Demi did not just jump on the band-wagon for Zeta-Jones...she'd already discussed these issues about 3 weeks prior for the magazines and GMA specials!

Friday 22 April

By Rose

Quite honestly I think Demi needs to just suck it up. Millions of people have bipolar disorder. My mother has bipolar disorder and it's not like its anything dreadfully horrible. She can have a normal life and a normal career. Bipolar disorder does NOT stop her from having that. She stops her own self from having that.

By ortiz.ashley

I'm proud of her for trying to raise awareness for bipolar disorder

Tuesday 20 September

By Martha

This one is a real "WINNER" Mother's watch out for your boys - she's a mother-in-laws nightmare. Anorexic, Bulimic, a Cutter, and Bipolar to boot!

Monday 12 December

By A

Hi I just wanted to say that Demi has been diagonised with Bipolar Disorder with proffessional help...so you should show your support to her and not be negative...thank you.

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