I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog …

I don’t think there is much more I can say except I think you are seem pretty smart and aware.

The one belief you have that I’d challenge you on is the last one. You might be surprised. Don’t give up on yourself. You deserve great health, both mental and physical. Don’t think of this as retreating to childhood by asking your family for help. Asking for support is an extremely brave and mature thing to do. It takes some time for the body and brain to heal. You deserve to give yourself that time and surround yourself with the support to do it.

Don’t underestimate the power of love and family. My best.

Yes, my parents are aware because they confronted me a few years ago. I’m not sure if they think I’m “fine” now or what. The other day my mom asked if I was still seeing my therapist, but that’s as far as the conversation goes, thank God!

I wish they just thought I was fine because there really isn’t anything they can do to help me anyway. I’m 32 years old, so there’s not much my parents can do to take care of me.

I hear your conflict.

My guess is that your family does know and they are already concerned and worried despite your desire to spare them.

Speaking as a parent, it lessened my worry to have more information and education on this illness. I think it helps take away worry when you know there is something you can do– that you can play a vitally important role in helping someone you love get better. Worry is so much greater when you can’t talk about it.

I hope the best for you. I hope you do talk.

I try to avoid any conversations about food, weight, etc. with my parents when I see them. They’ve never actually said the words “eating disorder” to me, which is good. I never said it to them either.

You are correct in saying that my family would want to know how I feel, but I don’t want them to know. I don’t want them to worry about me. I’m fine for the most part. I know they care and love me and would want to do anything to help me. I have the best parents and I love them dearly, and I know they love and care for me more than anything, even more than they do for my sister and brother. Okay, that last part was a joke. They love us all equally!

If you were my son or daughter (no matter what your age), I’d want to know how you were feeling. I’d want to have the information Dr. Ravin has shared here online. Most families don’t get this information. They don’t know this is possible.

If I were your family, I’d do all I could to learn more about this method and help you kick ED. There is no reason to think your family wouldn’t feel very much the same way. Its wonderful to have loved ones to help you through this and back to lasting health.

I know I would have the support if I asked for it. I would like to be “normal,” but I think the thought of trying to change is too scary, and the thought of gaining weight is definitely way too scary.

In the end, it all comes down to whether or not I want to change or “get better.” No one else can do for me. I know that, though sometimes I wish someone could do it for me or wave a magic wand and make it all go away.

Thanks.

No need to apologze. I don’t think you’re being difficult. I do think this illness is incredibly difficult, especially for adults with limited support.

Other people may not be too concerned either because they don’t know how much you are suffering or because they are ignorant about EDs.

I think you are concerned about yourself on some level, and I think part of you wants to recover, or you wouldn’t be reading and commenting on my blog.

I sincerely hope that you are able to recover, by whatever means works for you given your particular circumstances.