Demi Lovato leaves tour to treat eating disorders and cutting

18-year-old Disney darling Demi Lovato has left her tour with The Jonas Brothers “in order to seek medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time,” according to her spokesperson.

A source told people that the emotional and physical issues she’s dealing with are an eating disorder, and cutting issues.

“She was bullied in school. She fought through eating disorders and has struggled with cutting. … Demi is taking control by getting help.”

Many young actresses and singers in Hollywood struggle with eating disorders because of the intense scrutiny and pressure to look thin. Eating disorders spring from an already fragile emotional state, and then go to work creating a fragile physical state, which is only exasperated by issues with cutting.

Demi’s cutting may have been going on for some time. Two years ago Demi was photographed with what looked like cutting scars on her wrists at her 16th birthday party. Cutting is a behavior used to relieve intense emotional pain through experiencing physical pain. It also creates a rush as endorphins storm the brain to respond to physical trauma.

Kudos to Demi for seeking help with whatever is troubling her. Admitting that you need help to deal with your issues is the most important part of recovery.

Photo by Fame Pictures