Demi Lovato Admits Bipolar Condition, Doesn’t Want To Use It As Label

Demi Lovato is against labeling someone using his or her condition.

Lovato, 24, chatted with Elvis Duran as part of the iHeartRadio’s Label Defiers with ZICO Coconut Water, where celebrities talk about their thoughts about the label given to them. The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer got candid as she opened up about her bipolar condition.

“I think when people refer to me as being bipolar, it’s something that’s true – I am bipolar – but I don’t like people to use it as a label,” Lovato said, People reported. “It’s something that I have, it’s not who I am.”

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Lovato was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011. Her condition prompted the “Skyscraper” singer to be a mental health advocate. In fact, Lovato is the spokesperson of the Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health campaign.

“It’s a passion of mine—mental health advocacy—and I’ve decided to partner up with Be Vocal because it’s something that’s really powerful when it comes to not only informing people about what mental illness is but also what you can do to get help,” Women’s Health reported. “It’s possible to live well, feel well, and also find happiness with bipolar disorder or any other mental illness they’re struggling with.”

Lovato has a history of substance abuse, eating disorders and self-harm. The “Stone Cold” singer entered a treatment where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since then, the “Heart Attack” songstress has been open about her mental illness and her struggles while recovering.

In an interview with People in 2016, she shared that there were times when she felt the urge to do something harmful and she was advised to distract herself. One of the ways that worked well for her to distract herself was to play the popular mobile game, “Zombarazzie Adventure.”

“It’s cool to be able to come out with games for phones that can maybe be a distraction for someone when they’re thinking about doing something that can be harmful to themselves,” Lovato said.

As for her recovery, Lovato said that it was a “work in progress.” The “Confident” singer was happy for the support of her family, friends and treatment team.

“They’re there for me at any moment of the day and will be there to support me throughout my recovery,” Lovato explained. “That relationship is ongoing — 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.”

Do you agree with Lovato that conditions like bipolar should not be used to label someone? Drop a comment below.