I know exactly how you feel. When your not terribly underweight and suffering from an eating disorder, it can feel like you don't really have one, but you do and you need help. I'm really sorry that no one else sees that, but you've done so well realizing yourself that you have an ED. I'm always here to talk if you want! :)

I am sorry you are dealing with unsupportive people. what you need is a treatment team like a therapist, nutritionist, case manager, psychiatrist, and a general practitioner. i have found therapy for me is so amazing. she specializes in eating disorders.

surround yourself with a treatment team and with people who are supportive. you need all the support you can get right now.

also think about a support group in your area.

If people don't understand something they tend to talk out of their butt crack. Sorry you are dealing with this. I've had a similar problem only it was depression and suicidal ideation that put me in the hospital. I went twice. The first time I told no one, only my parents many years later. The second time I decide to tell my favorite uncle, who couldn't be bothered to call me while I was in the hospital. He said "he can't deal with that because he dealt with hit with his two sisters" ie. my mom and aunt. It infuriated and saddened me that he put me in that same group. Because of that incident, and a few other hurtful comments, he's not my favorite uncle. He's just a shadow of my favorite uncle, the one I remember as a kid.

I've been told aweful hurtful things by my dad as well. Gee I wonder if that might be why I dont' trust me? lol anyway I'm sorry and I just wanted to comment to say I understand. I don't have much of a solution to offer except only tell those you think will have a clue and will be your cheerleader. No one else needs to know because they can't handle it. It's not your fault, it's poor education and / or lack of empathy.

I meant to say i don't trust men.

I often think this when i tell people about my anorexia... I think they might think im lying or being dramatic as although i am pretty underweight, i wouldnt say i was stick then, and i still have a pretty hourglass shape.. But yeah the same kinder happened to me and it was men! (not dissing any blokes, this is purely coincidental)

The first GP i told simply told me you have to gain weight by eating 2000 calories, and that freaked me out, i even told him i thought that that government advice was wrong. My dad told me he didnt "like the idea" of me trying to make myself throw up and starving myself and that i should stop (hahahaa really!?) and my ex used to just shove food at me...

I can relate... I question myself and whether I am overreacting to my eating disorder every day. Then when I finally have the strenght to admit it, everyone else down plays it becasue it is easier for them to cope. Either that, or I am just ignored. No one wants to talk about "it".

eating disorders, and mental health in general is so taboo. no one wants to talk about it because it makes them feel uncomfortable.

Totally agree! Always hearing about obesity and how to help lose weight / surgical operations but you rarely hear about anorexia/ED unless a model dies ..

It's really hard, and that's why it's important to have a strong network of support, like here :)

All I can say is that you can't compare yourself to everyone, and thus the advice that "everyone does this" should be irrelevant.

I know a girl who eats 3 candy bars and breakfast before lunch everyday and she is stick thin, but should I do that? No, dear, I would gain weight immediately. Same goes for someone starving themselves, should we also? No, because we don't want to die.

I don't at least. Is wanting to stay thin AND alive and functional so wrong? I'm willing to fight for it and I hope you are too

Sorry you had that reaction!!! :-(

i've had experiences like this too, im sure a lot of people have.. its unfortunate.. but i have come to try and accept that there are people who don't understand ED as in.. really do not have a clue what the hell people go through, then there are people who aren't ignorant, they just say the wrong thing despite god intentions, or just dont htink at all... Even when i was in inpatient treatment with a very low bmi there were people who said, you dont look ill.. or your eating now, you cant have an ED... etc which is really confusing to someone with ED. One minute youre being told ED isnt healthy next time your being told your fine by people who, lets face it, we shouldnt be listening to regarding our health as they know nothing...

My mum has spent over 6 years living with me through ED, recovery, relapse, and she STILL doesnt understand and says the wrong things..

My boyfriend has good intentions, hasnt really been through it with me so cant expect him to get it.. and says the wrong thing all the time..

And they are people who i am really close to ... So coming across friends, aquaintances and people i dont even know.. who tell me stuff like youre describing.. i have learnt to smile, take a step back, and think (or to be fair i have actually said on a few occassions) WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW??? YOU DONT KNOW ME, OR ANYTHING ABOUT MY LIFE... I DONT JUDGE YOU... SO F*** OFF OUT OF MY BUSINESS!

That probably didnt help haha.. but had to go off on one a bit... people like that do get to me!!

xxxx