I'm not an expert but I think ED is not a well defined point on a line but more like a range of points on a bell curve.

Sometimes even experts do not agree on criteria and cutoff points. No one psychologist has come up with a definition for it that satisfied all psychologists.

Periodicity is usually a strong clue that there is brain involvement and biological pathology and that causality is not just linked to environment, circumstances, past history and free will, in my opinion.

"Denial" as a concept used in 20th and 21st century psychology is also a complex phenomena. Overly simplistic explanations I fear, do not really do justice to it as I believe is has causes and not just a single cause.

I think an injustice is done when it is assumed or asserted to be based on a flaw in character or malice. An injustice not just to the person with eating problems but an injustice towards truth and justice themselves.

I also struggle with problems with eating. My heart goes out to you.