Teen icon opens up about eating disorders, cutting

By Staff Writer

Pop star Demi Lovato hopes that her personal struggles will serve as an important lesson for other troubled teens.

Lovato, a singer and actress, recently opened up about her nervous breakdown that led to three-month stay at a treatment center. According to the Los Angeles Times, she admitted that she experienced major depression while on tour, which led to the development of eating disorders and cutting.

The 18-year-old told Seventeen magazine that the emotional problems became so severe that she physically attacked one of her dancers. Lovato said that she suppressed many of her feelings during adolescents, and she tried to regain control of her emotions by hurting herself as well as binging and purging.

She added that it is very important for problem teens to share their feelings with their family members. Failure to do so could lead one's psychological problems to spill over through substance abuse, eating disorders or suicide.

Last week, Lovato announced that she has teamed up with the Jed Foundation's Love is Louder Movement that aims to help girls recover from emotional hardships.

Adolescents who injure themselves may benefit from wilderness therapy programs, which are designed to help teens adopt healthier behaviors.