Demi Lovato Shared a Shocking Old Photo That Sends a Powerful Message About Eating Disorder Recovery

Demi Lovato has been anything but private over the last few years. Since taking a break from the industry to deal with her mental health, drug and alcohol addictions, and an eating disorder in 2013, the “Sorry (Not Sorry)” singer has given zero effs when it has come to what people might think about her. In her new documentary, Simply Complicated, the star talks about all of it and more, which is why she felt compelled to share a shocking side-by-side before and after photo of her recovery from an eating disorder to send fans the powerful message that “recovery is possible” from eating disorders.

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I'M SO SO SO HAPPY DEMI THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I WAS SHOCKED YOU MADE ME HAPPY MY ROLE MODEL!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH 💖💕 @ddlovato (Demi, benim yaptığım bir editi kendi Instagram hikayesinde paylaştı ve 'İyileşmek mümkün' yazdı.) - O kadar mutluyum ki bunun resmen tarifi yok hiç ummadığım, beklemediğim bir anda bununla karşılaştım ve o kadar mükemmel bir şey ki hep Demi'nin beni farketmesini istedim ve sonunda oldu bu gerçekten kelimelerle anlatmakla bitmez kalbime indi yani çıldırdım iyiki varsın be çok seviyorum çok @ddlovato 💜

A post shared by Demi Lovato Turkey 🇹🇷 (@heartbyheartdemi) on Oct 18, 2017 at 9:08am PDT

Sharing a pic from the height of her eating disorder and a snap from now, the difference of a few years is jaw-dropping, but that doesn’t mean that Lovato wants to keep her recovery secret. In fact, she wants the opposite.

Talking with Teen Vogue about the release of Simply Complicated, she said, “it was really hard to talk about on camera. But I knew that if I was honest, it would help somebody understand. Sometimes I’m not perfect with my recovery and my eating issues, but I keep fighting. And I want people to see that.”

While it’s important to remember that eating disorders and addiction look different for everyone, what’s hopeful in both the documentary and Lovato’s continued commitment to being honest with fans is that it is possible to get better, and win in a battle over your personal demons.

“You can learn to love yourself,” Lovato told Teen Vogue about what she thinks her doc’s takeaway is. “Fall in love with yourself… before you fall in love with other people. So it’s possible to become an independent, strong [person] on your own.”

If you are suffering from an eating disorder, please call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. For a 24-hour crisis line, text “NEDA” to 741741.

Have you ever supported someone through an eating disorder? Tell us how you helped @BritandCo!

(Photo via Emma McIntyre/Getty)