Singer Demi Lovato Reveals She Was 'So Relieved' To Be Diagnosed As Bipolar

Singer and songwriter Demi Lovato got candid about how she truly felt when she was diagnosed of being bipolar in 2011, noting that it brought a huge relief to her.

The singer shared that the diagnosis helped her understand certain emotions she felt at the time but couldn't fully grasp. Lovato noted that she doesn't want to be labeled with the diagnosis.

Read on for more details.

In a recent appearance on the Hollywood & Mind Summit in Los Angeles, Lovato, 30, revealed that she was relieved after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder because it finally gave her a clear explanation for the emotions she had been experiencing.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that affects a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. People with bipolar disorder experience extreme mood swings ranging from periods of high energy and excitement to deep depression and hopelessness.

"I was so relieved that I had finally had a diagnosis," she shared in People magazine. "I had spent so many years struggling, and I didn't know why I was a certain way in dealing with depression at such extreme lows when I seemingly had the world in front of me just ripe with opportunities."

Lovato added, "It was things like, I remember being 15 years old on a tour bus and watching fans follow my bus with posters and trying to get me to wave outside the window. And all I could do was sit there and cry. And I remember being in the back of my tour bus watching my fans and crying and being like, 'Why am I so unhappy?'"

Lovato, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health, bipolar disorder, and addiction struggles, said that she speaks openly about it because she wants to pass on her lessons to others who are going through similar things she went through.

For Lovato, her bipolar diagnosis came after years of struggling with addiction, self-harm, and eating disorders. The singer revealed that she had been misdiagnosed in the past, and it wasn't until she went to a treatment facility for three months that she received the correct diagnosis.

"I knew that if I could help others with their journey, then that's exactly what I wanted to do," she said. "And so I decided to be open and honest about what I had finally learned about myself."

The "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" actress previously talked about her disposition to bipolar disorder and how she no longer wants to be defined by the label.

In a 2017 chat with iHeartRadio, Lovato explained that while she was initially relieved to receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, she felt that the label had become limiting.

"I think when people refer to me as being bipolar, it's true - I am bipolar - but I don't like people to use it as a label," she said, per People. "It's something I have; it's not who I am."

Lovato's comments reflect a growing conversation around our language to discuss mental health. While diagnoses like bipolar disorder can be helpful for understanding and treating symptoms, they can also be stigmatizing and lead to harmful stereotypes.

According to the news outlet, Lovato emphasized that she wants to be seen as a person first and foremost rather than as a diagnosis and would prefer a more encouraging label for herself – like "activist."

In other news, the singer recently announced the type of songs she would have on her next album, and it isn't sad songs.

Over the years, Lovato has released several hit albums that have showcased her incredible vocal range and songwriting skills. Her music has often touched upon themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, making her relatable to fans of all ages.

In a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Lovato shared that her upcoming album will depart from her previous work and feature a "bunch of Sappy Love Songs." According to People, instead of focusing on her struggles and battles, she wants to write about love and all its complexities.

"I am in a perfect place," said Lovato, who's currently in a relationship with fellow musician Jutes. "I'm so happy; I don't know what I will write about on my next album. It is an excellent feeling, but I don't know what I will do."