I'm not even through the entire essay yet, but wow, can I relate. It's always bothered me when parents make comments like, "You have it so much better than I did as a kid." My father did the same thing and I always wished he could understand that his experience, or the experience of other kids--no matter how severe--did not disqualify mine.

On another note, I too was bullied and suffered an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, and exercise addiction) starting in high school. My eating disorder only fed into my perfectionistic personality and OCD.

All of that to say, I somewhat get it. Again, your story is unique...but I'm really happy you are writing some of it out in articles like this.