Demi Lovato: How I Treat My Bipolar Disorder

"It's a daily thing," the former "X-Factor" judge said of how she copes.

ByABC News
May 1, 2014, 4:50 PM
Demi Lovato poses in the June 2014 issue of Cosmopolitan.
Demi Lovato poses in the June 2014 issue of Cosmopolitan.
Matt Jones/Cosmopolitan

May 1, 2014 -- Demi Lovato has always been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder.

Now she's explaining how she treats it.

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"It’s a daily thing. I treat it with medication. Not everybody does that, but for me it works," the former "X-Factor" judge told Cosmo for Latinas. "That’s what works for me – medicating, checking in with people, being honest, and being grateful for things.”

Lovato, 21, has gone to rehab to cope with addiction, has always wanted to establish an open dialogue with her fans, especially young ones. Telling Cosmo that she wants to stand for "positivity and light and happiness," to help inspire young girls who may be looking for a star to "idolize." That might be one reason she holds herself to such high standards professionally.

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"I'm very proud of how far I've come, but I definitely want to win a Grammy one day, and I dream of winning an Oscar," she said. "I want to continue to tour and build my fan base and make music that will last for decades."

PHOTO: Demi Lovato poses on the June 2014 cover of Cosmopolitan.
Demi Lovato poses on the June 2014 cover of Cosmopolitan.