For some students, it’s simply too much to meet their school requirements and focus on their treatment. Three cons of in-person schooling includes:
Distraction
During eating disorder treatment, the primary focus should always be on recovery. If the pressures of academic success, peer relationships, and/or extracurricular activities begin to interfere with this goal, it’s time to consider an alternative approach.
Limited Flexibility
As we mentioned above, in-person schooling involves a structured schedule, which may not allow for necessary absences due to ongoing treatment. The need to attend individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, meal support, and other components of treatment make it difficult to abide by traditional school hours.
With irregular attendance, a student’s learning experience is obviously interrupted. They may fall behind on their work or miss valuable lessons, both of which can cause added stress.
Stigma
A student suffering from an eating disorder may face stigma, judgment, or misunderstanding from their peers. If another student notices changes in appearances, attitude, or behaviors, they may say something to their peers or teachers, leading to unwanted attention and concern.
In an effort to change this landscape, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) recently launched the ANAD School Ambassador Program (ASAP). This new initiative strives to empower students to raise awareness of eating disorders, available support, and educational resources to school communities across the country.