Demi Lovato says she's 'relieved' after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder
- Published
Demi Lovato says she's "relieved" to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The singer and former X Factor USA judge says she often felt depressed and didn't know why.
It took an intervention by her family for her to get treatment but she says she now has to share her story.
"I remember smiling and thinking, 'Great. OK, so there's not anything wrong with me as a person'," the 22-year-old said.
"It's actually just a condition that I have and I can do something to fix it. I don't have to be like this forever.
Demi Lovato has also launched a campaign in America called Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health
"It's not something that anyone should be ashamed of, the more people talk about it, the more people can come out and get the help they need."
After getting help, the singer says she thinks her improved mental state is being reflected in her work.
"I'd say my music is a lot happier now.
"I didn't understand why I was going through what I was when I was dealing with all of this, and I realized I could share my story and help others.
"If that's my purpose for being on earth, than that's what I want to do. There's so much more to life than just singing."
Demi Lovato is sharing her story and encouraging others to do the same through Be Vocal: Speak Up For Mental Health, an initiative launched in the US on Thursday.
Other famous bipolar disorder sufferers include Stephen Fry and Catherine Zeta Jones.
It's a condition which seriously affects mood and can lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts to take your own life.
Lovato says she's recording a new album, which she plans to release on Safehouse Records.
It's the new label that she and partners Nick Jonas and her manager, Phil McIntyre, announced earlier this week.
There's help and support with bipolar disorder at Bipolar UK, external or find out more at the National Institute of Mental Health, external.
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