We've known Demi Lovato is a "cutter," but the recent revelation that she began to slit her wrists and mutilate herself at age 11 is startling.
Now 18, Demi opened up to 20/20 about her recent stint in a treatment center, where she was treated for cutting, bulimia and emotional issues.
Cutting is "a way of expressing my own shame, of myself, on my own body," according to Demi, who adds she's been overeating since age eight.
Demi Lovato has also experienced - and been shaped by - bullying.
"I've spoken openly about being bullied throughout the past few years," she says.
"But one thing that I've never been able to feel comfortable talking about was the effects that it had on my life, afterward. I didn't know why they were being so mean to me. And when I would ask them why, they would just say, 'Well, you're fat."
Her torment turned into a lifelong disease, and one dangerous habit after another.
