Continuing her quest for raising awareness surrounding mental health, Demi Lovato has opened up to talk about what it’s like living with bipolar disorder.
“If you know someone or if you’re dealing with it yourself, just know that it is possible to live well,” she tells People. “I’m living proof of that.”
The 24-year-old was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being admitted into rehab for addiction and cutting when she was 18.
Since then, the Confident singer has been using her A-lister status to encourage those suffering from a mental illness to stand up, talk about it and seek help.
“I’d rather live my life free and open than closed off, where people like me for something that I’m not,” she says.
Demi was admitted to rehab after she punched a back-up dancer while on tour with the Jonas Brothers in 2010.
Speaking of how far she has come since her 2010 diagnosis, Demi, who has been five years sober, says she takes her recovery process one step at a time.
“It’s not something where you see a therapist once or you see your psychiatrist once, it’s something you maintain to make sure that you want to live with mental illness. You have to take care of yourself.”
“Every day is a work in progress so hopefully I make it to 2017 with my sobriety,” she shared. “I take it one day at a time and for today I’m doing great.”
WATCH how Demi’s Latina culture changed her body image. Post continues…
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness that sees someone experiencing days, weeks and sometimes months of extreme moods of mania and depression, ranging between the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
According to Better Health Victoria, bipolar can impact people differently, and the affects can be so severe that someone may endure symptoms of psychosis, making them unable to distinguish reality from fantasy.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression?
No appetite and loss of weight
Struggling to concentrate
Overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts and behaviour
Feeling anxious or guilty without reason
Withdrawal from people and activities
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder and mania?
Irritability and aggression
Running on empty without sleep
Feeling complete euphoria (like a ‘high’) or extremely energetic
Lavish, unrealistic plans
Thinking and speaking quickly
Unsafe sexual activity
How is it treated?
Bipolar disorder can be treated through counselling and education, which can help someone better understand and manage their condition, as well as medication.
If you would like to learn more about bipolar disorder, get in touch with your local GP.
If you, or anybody you know needs support or more information, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue.
