Sort of an update to this thread... For one, what precious things said here is so true.

I finally had a heart-to-heart in a calm moment with my boyfriend, as we were talking about discrimination in general between different kinds of illnesses, and I was able to say that I feel like he discounts me a lot. Kind of called him out on things he didn't realize he did, like eye rolls and minimizing remarks.

He apologized quite profusely, saying, "I guess it's just because I never knew anyone with an eating disorder before." I explained that no one ever does. That's so often part of the disorder - staying private.

I explained (again...) that EDs aren't always these extreme cases people see on day time talk shows of body dysmorphia where people shrink down to skin and bones, that media has unfortunately played it off this way, where the only reason for having one is because you want to look better or lose weight. And while these people, of course, are struggling heavily, the media playing off the disorder as if there is no other reason for it is like playing off diabetes as only appearing in overweight people.

I reminded him that I struggle and will struggle with it every day because of my background, regardless of whether I am overweight, underweight, just right, or a fitness model.

He seemed to really take it all in, which is good, but time will tell. I wish that there was more "popular" public information about EDs across the spectrum. It would really help, I think, that "shame on you" attitude that people seem to have. :/