Demi Lovato, a singer and former Disney Channel star, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011. The singer initially refused treatment, saying she was fine and that millions of people had it worse than her (something many mentally ill patients tell themselves). Eventually she did check herself into a mental institution and learned to fight the disease. She originally struggled to understand why she would have episodes of deep depression alongside episodes of mania. Lovato went public about her condition in the hopes of raising awareness about the disorder and inspiring other bipolar patients to learn about the disease and seek professional help. She says that those with bipolar disorder should not be ashamed and afraid, and that you can overcome and live with the disorder with the proper treatment.

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