Demi Lovato’s New Documentary Reveals Her Health Struggles

Demi Lovato gets real about her health in her latest video

Not many stars would open up to the world about their long list of health issues – but Demi Lovato does exactly that in her new YouTube documentary, Demi Lovato: Simply Uncomplicated.

The 25-year-old bares her soul, tackling serious subjects like depression, bipolar disorder, addiction and substance abuse, and eating disorders.

While Lovato’s been pretty honest about her problems with drugs and alcohol (she’s been openly sober for five years), along with her body image, the documentary is the first time she’s opened up about having an eating disorder and battling serious mental health issues.

Demi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 18. She had been on a bender right before, using alcohol and drugs almost daily (including Adderall and cocaine) and was forced to check into a rehab facility after she punched one of her backup dancers in the face for telling management about her drug use.

It took another stint in rehab for Lovato to get sober.

Her relationship with food and body image

One demon she hasn’t fully figured out is her eating disorder. She still struggles with bingeing and purging, and admits in the documentary that she recently relapsed. While she says “it’s still weird” to discuss these intimate details of her life in front of a camera, she does, explaining that she binges “when her heart feels hungry.”

One thing that has helped the singer overcome some of her health challenges is exercise.

According to her manager, Phil McIntyre, there was a time when nobody could discuss exercise in front of the star. Now she’s working towards getting her black belt in Brazilian jujitsu. Lovato says that without the gym, she would “be in a very dark place.”

The power of staying fit

Exercise has been known to heal the body and soul and Lovato certainly agrees.

“Any time I’m able to take my mind off any of my addictions, it’s very beneficial to me because you’re constantly thinking about what the next move is. The technique, the strategy…Working out is a form of meditation to me because I’m not focused on anything in my head. It can transport you to a totally different place. I’m on a journey to discover what it’s like to be free of all demons.”

Thanks for sharing Demi, and we hope you continue to grow and heal.

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