Demi Lovato Opens Up About Eating Disorder

Demi Lovato is Seventeen’s newest contributing editor and for her first assignment, she’s hoping to help teens who might be in the same situation she was once in.

Here’s what the 18-year-old starlet had to share:

On her message to teenage girls: “If you are going through that dark period, go to your family and closest friends. Don’t put yourself in danger. It’s very crucial that you get your feelings out - but don’t ever inflict harm on your own body because your body is so sacred. I wish I could tell every young girl with an eating disorder, or who has harmed herself in any way, that she’s worthy of life and that her life has meaning. You can overcome and get through anything.”

On temptations to go back to her old habits: “Yes, there have been times when I definitely have been tempted to get rid of my dinner. But I will deal with it for the rest of my life because it’s a life-long disease. I don’t think there’s going to be a day when I don’t think about food or my body, but I’m living with it, and I wish I could tell young girls to find their safe place and stay with it.”

On how she keeps herself in a safe place: “I don’t let anyone’s insecurities, emotions, or opinions bother me. I know that if I am happy, that’s all that matters to me. And it’s okay to be selfish like that sometimes, when it comes to your well-being. Do what makes you happy, and don’t care what others think.”

On how she defines her personality after leaving treatment: “I don’t really define it by anything. I live my life every day, and if I feel like wearing combat boots one day and shoes the next, I will. I allow myself a lot of freedom and I’m very peaceful now. I have come to realize that just making yourself happy is most important. Never be ashamed of what you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion that you want, and to do what makes you happy. That’s my life motto.”

Credit: Just Jared Jr. (Stephen Lovekin)

Demi Lovato's Los Angeles Landing

Still easing back into the public eye following her rehabilitation efforts, Demi Lovato was spotted arriving at LAX airport in Los Angeles on Friday (April 1).

The "Camp Rock" cutie got the assistance of a police escort as she passed by a pack of awaiting photographers upon touching down in Tinseltown.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Demi Lovato Is "So Excited" To Be Back To Work

She recently checked out a treatment center to deal with personal issues, but Demi Lovato has just revealed that she's already back to work again - and she couldn't be any more excited about it.

The 18-year-old took to Twitter yesterday, letting her fans know that she is back in the game by writing, "First day back to working. I can't wait to share with you guys what I'm doing today. It's a big day for me. So excited! I love you all!!!"

While Demi didn't say what she was doing, she did reveal whom she was doing it with. "Wow what a very long but successful day today!! I'm SO blessed to have my friend @Alexavega with me ALL day for support!" she wrote, tweeting a photo of her and the "Spy Kids" star together.

Earlier this month, Lovato teased a new project in a similarly mysterious way, not getting into the specifics of what she was planning next. 

"I wanted to let you guys know that I'm excited to get back to work. I can't wait to tell you guys what the future holds. I can't wait to see you in person. I love you all and I couldn't have done this without you."

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Demi Lovato's Rehab Christmas With Her Family

As Demi Lovato continues to receive profession treatment for "emotional and physical issues," the Disney star had just one Christmas wish this year: to ring in the holiday with her family outside of the center.

Lovato, 18, was allowed to leave the treatment facility for the day on Christmas, a source close to her family tells PEOPLE. She returned later in the evening after celebrating with her mom, step dad and two sisters.

"It is the most important holiday to her," the source says.

Lovato checked into the treatment center late October after a fight with a dancer, Alex Welch, on the Jonas Brothers World Tour. What was described as a "short, physical altercation" was settled in time for Christmas, and Welch told PEOPLE she is "ready to move on."

Although there is no date set for the completion of her treatment, a source close to the family told PEOPLE in November that "Demi knows she needs the help and knows that she is where she needs to be right now."

Credit: People