Former Disney Star Christy Carlson Romano Opens Up About Struggle With Alcohol And Self-Harm

Christy just opened up in a new, tell-all essay exclusively for Teen Vogue where she updates fans on life after her teenage stardom died down.

"While many witnessed my costar Shia LaBeouf struggle publicly, I have largely suffered in silence. I am not a victim, but I have never been perfect or pulled together as my reputation or the successes of my young adulthood might suggest."

"While I was adept at change and very driven in my art form, I was delayed in some developmental milestones that one often has in their preteen years that adequately inform their early adulthood and help them make the right decisions during hard times. I only learned to ride a bike at 12 years old because I had a callback for a cereal commercial."

"Needing to be liked was my full-time job and constant concern of mine."

"I was somewhat protected (or stultified) by staying on my set and making friends with whoever showed up to be cast as my best friend that week."

"I had a swinging confidence in my abilities which pushed me to get on camera, perform, and make money. My personal value was irrelevant until validated by my most recent accomplishment."

"In retrospect, it probably did. But in my heart, I was running away from the responsibility of fame and toward a glamorized fantasy of adolescence."

"I became a bit harder-edged, binge-drank more at loud nightclubs, and started to accept the transient natures of love, sex, and friendship. Growing up, I entertained thousands of families only to feel completely lonely. People were as replaceable as they had deemed me to be."

"I tried to scratch my skin with my fingernail because I was too scared to use a knife. I chickened out and honestly felt like I had failed some important race to win the trophy for 'most tragic, beautiful girl.'"

"I struggled with all of my relationships, alcohol usage, and career path for 10 years before going back to school and re-centering myself. I ended up meeting my husband in a screenwriting class and found in him a companionship that would take a mallet to the tape that had been screaming in my head all those years."

Romano's closing message? Remember your self worth — "having a clear understanding of your personal value helps to positively shape everything you do. If you don’t, if you aren't careful, you just might end up getting what everyone else wishes for but wondering what you want yourself."

We're so proud of the growth and self love Christy has shown herself, and I can't wait to see what she does next!