Should i tell DC i have an eating disorder?

[SoMauveMonty]

My GP believes i have an eating disorder - i've acknowledged things are getting worse and have agreed to be refered to an ED support service.
I don't feel ill and am functioning well. I've teenage DCs and am wondering if i should tell them, or would it be best to just keep a lid on it and not worry them (one has autism and has health anxiety so i'm not sure how she would take it). They're aware my eating habits are odd but i've been having difficulty for about a year now, so it's not that unusual any more. My weight has stabilised after dropping off quite quickly earlier this year, but the binging has got worse.
Grateful for any advice, tia

No

I was in your situation - under the care of the ED team for some years.
It was clear to most I was struggling.
I didn't tell my young son, but I told my teenage son that I was having some trouble with my eating, that I was getting help and support, that I would be OK and that would appreciate him not raising it with me. I am all for open discussion within families, but with this I felt entitled to my privacy.
My behaviours were very hidden. If yours are more obvious ie. you think your DS might be aware then I think you might need to tell them something.

I am sorry you are having problems and hope the ED team are able to support you.

No. Do they NEED to know? I would say not. Especially if you have one child with health anxiety already.

@CharlotteBog thank you, that feels like a good way to approach it. Factual but low key.
Do they NEED to know? No. But if I was unwell in any other way and having, or about to start, treatment, I would probably tell them. And I worry that keeping something secret can make it seem worse or bigger than it actually is, if the dc find out i've not told them. But equally, it's not something I really want to talk about, or have them worrying about unnecessarily. So I've been torn over what to do, if anything.

No, definitely not.

It’s not something I would share with my kids, particularly as you’ve already says yours have anxiety etc, but I would say tell a family member so you’ve got some support.

If they have noticed your eating it odd already it could be helpful to acknowledge it and say you realise it isn’t quite right and you are going to get some help to change it. You don’t need to go into details but good to role model that when you struggle you may need to ask for help

Maybe don't make a decision now, you've got a lot going on.
It doesn't mean you won't tell them, you're just giving yourself say a week to not think about it.
Don't be hard on yourself.

Thanks Charlotte
it's been a bugger of a year and this just feels like one more thing to think about and one more fuck up, to put it frankly, if i don't handle it well. I've avoided referal to the ED services for a while now but think i need to bite the bullet, but equally a big part of me doesn't want to engage with it.
I think you're right, i just need to take a breath and let it all percolate for a bit before making any decisions re the DCs.

Would knowing benefit them in any way?

They're aware i've not been eating properly for quite a while, and that i'm 'not well' but functioning. So knowing what's wrong in simple terms & that as @Digestive28 said i'm taking steps to get better might reassure them, and possibly stop them imagining all sorts of far worse things instead.

Having ED services involved is a positive thing, it really is. It's scary, I understand that. Admitting you need help is a big step. They will be kind and gentle with you. They might tell you some hard truths regarding your physical health; ones you're probably aware of but are very easy to push aside when the ED takes hold. This is all part of the recovery process.

I had been living with my ED for a long time before I acknowledged that it was controlling me in ways that were spiralling. Sharing that huge burden was a relief. Opening up to professionals in a safe, non-judgemental space was very, very hard, but I knew I had to do it to get better. They will be able to help you work out how much (or if) to tell your children.

Thank you so much @CharlotteBog

how are you now @CharlotteBog ?

Thank you for asking @nutrosti.
I'm a healthy weight. Physically I think I might have damaged my body in some ways, but I'm too afraid to ask.
Emotionally, the behaviours are very entrenched. I don't think they ever go away entirely, but we learn to manage. I have some very good skills to keep myself from slipping. I have truck loads of self-awareness and knowledge, I just need to listen to it. I wish it didn't dominate so many aspects of my life.