Oh, I think almost everyone will understand you on this one. I bought my dad and husband a book to read on the subject. They actually have books out there for family and friends of people with EDs also that might help them/you.
Maybe this will help if you can get them to read? Good luck!

Yes i totally understand. I sent my family links to a website (www.b-eat.org.uk, you're UK yeah?)and lent them books to read, and i try and explain to people like friends and family when they ask, but although this has helped they still don't 'get it'. My mum thinks if i eat a meal i am 'cured', and i think only now they are realising it is going to be a much longer battle than that. They come out with some classics! I think it is important for us to remember that they can never really understand, no-one who hasn't had an ED can. Also i thought my parents had 'forgotten' but really they just didn't want to make me uncmfortable or feel 'policed' by going on about it all the time. There is an element of ED that is very contradictory - we want control and not to be inteferred with, but then want to know why no-one seems worried, it's tricky for them too i guess. I think part of recovery is finding the different roles that people can provide us. Our parents can't suddenly change who they are, we can help them to find out more, and try out different things, but we will also need other supports, like professional help, DS, friends etc. Well done for telling them. xxx

Your not a failure. You have an illness. Try taking them with you to the doc.

Thanks so much everyone for your advice and encouragement! Giving them books and websites is a really good idea, ill definately look into that. I think there is also a part of me that still doesnt want them to ever understand. it kind of feels like the more they know the less they will think of me. but i know deep down that i wont be able to get through this without them. thanks again!!

Hey Hun.

You can't make anyone understand, some people just can't. All you can do is try to talk to them, try to be honest and perhaps even print off some information for them from the internet, information on how to help a member of the family with an ED is useful as this will help both your parents and you. Good luck hun xx

I don't think our parents will ever fully understand.

When I had it I was told to eat more or eat by my parents, but they never understand and would start yelling at me that I never really felt hungry. If I didn't eat, I would have to stand up for a while and get yelled at until I ate or just sit there in my parents sight, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere if I didn't.

Try to eat healthy now. Haven't fully recovered. They kept complaining when I had anoxeria. Tried herbs but didn't help, just made things worse. Drank liquids and made me full, didn't help my appetite so got off of it and got better.

Now they understand, but it is too late. Now have symptoms of bulimia-I wasn't gaining much weight before and wasn't allowed to eat vegetables, told to eat more. Exercising too much that I lost lots of hair before and muscle.

Mine finally learned what I was going through when they were in that situation, they understood that they had trouble eating and wasn't hungry that much because body is not used to it.

Give them books and links to read on the subject, so they understand.

You said, "I think there is also a part of me that still doesnt want them to ever understand. it kind of feels like the more they know the less they will think of me."

I already feel like my family thinks less of me because of my suicide attempt, being hospitalized, going into a treatment program, seeing therapists and being on meds..and now with ED, yeah, I'm worried just like you are. I prefer that they not get educated on the topic.