Angelina Jolie: 'My Self-Harm Past Will Help Others'

Angelina Jolie has defended her decision to speak about her teenage self-harm days, insisting that her words and experiences could help others overcome their problems.

The pregnant star has previously admitted in several interviews she cut her arms as a teenager in a bid to cope with depression.

And although the 33-year-old has since managed to conquer her demons, she insists she is happy she went public with her struggle, because she believes talking about her own experiences has helped other victims.

She says: "The reason I talked about going through certain pains of even cutting myself is that I was already out the other side.

"I knew there were people who did that, and were happy somebody admitted they did and discussed how they got out of it. I don't see the point of doing an interview unless you're going to share the things you learn in life and the mistakes you make.

"So to admit I'm extremely human and have done some dark things, I don't think makes me unusual or unusually dark. I think it is the right thing to do and I'd like to think it's the nice thing to do."