dlovato091511_230.jpg Demi Lovato has been through a lot in her 19 years, and she recently opened up to Self readers about the life lessons she's learned along the way. Taking questions from fans, the X-Factor judge spoke candidly about her struggles with an eating disorder, cutting, and bipolar disorder.

On what she learned in rehab:
    "I've spent the past two years getting over an eating disorder and issues like self-harming and bipolar disorder. Unlike a person who doesn't have these problems, I have to work on this stuff every day. I'm reminded of that whenever I eat or feel down."


On explaining the emotions behind self-harming:
    "There were times I felt so anxious, almost like I was crawling out of my skin, that if I didn't do something physical to match the way I felt inside, I would explode. I cut myself to take my mind off that. I just didn't care what happened. I had no fear."


On being diagnosed with bipolar disorder:
    "Finding out I had a real emotional disorder helped me put together the pieces of the puzzle. I remember being on my tour bus thinking, My life is so awesome right now, but I'm so depressed. Then, a few days later, I'd be on top of the world. It was really confusing. When I got diagnosed, my life made more sense."


On deciding to go public with her eating disorder:
    "When I was younger, stick-figure thin was in and nobody was talking about eating disorders. I want girls to know that it's OK when they grow up and their body changes. I want them to be aware that certain things they might do to lose weight can be dangerous - life-threatening even."


With her new outlook on life, it sounds like the sky is the limit for Miss Lovato! Click thru to see what the former Disney star has to say about her happiness now...