Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders that usually develop during a young person’s teenage years. For children and adolescents at boarding schools, symptoms of eating disorders may be first noticed by teachers or other students. Eating disorders are relatively common at boarding schools, and most schools have specific protocols regarding support, care, and boundaries.
If a young person at a boarding school is experiencing an eating disorder, schools may offer different forms of support. Some young people may be well enough to stay in school and receive therapy and counselling from medical professionals on an outpatient basis. Schools may also offer pastoral support from staff members. For other young people, taking a break from school to enter residential or intensive treatment may be the best and safest option.
What Are the Signs of Eating Disorders?
It can be difficult to recognise when a young person has an eating disorder, even in a boarding school setting. Young people with eating disorders often try to hide their attitudes and behaviours and may not acknowledge they have an eating problem when they’re asked.
It can be helpful for teachers and parents to understand some of the common signs of eating disorders. Remember that people of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and body shapes can develop eating disorders. While eating disorders are often associated with low body weight, most people with eating disorders have a normal or higher weight.
Some of the physical and psychological signs of an eating disorder include:
- changes in weight
- feeling cold
- missed periods
- a preoccupation with body weight, shape, and/or food
- fear of gaining weight
- feelings of distress after eating
- low self-esteem
- perfectionism
Some of the behavioural signs of an eating disorder are:
- restrictive eating
- excessive exercise
- avoiding eating with other people
- hiding or storing food
- secretive eating
- leaving a room immediately after eating
- anxiety and distress about eating unplanned meals
- wearing baggy clothes
- drinking a lot of water
- social withdrawal and isolation
- interpersonal difficulties
Most people with eating disorders only show some of these signs. If you are concerned about a young person, it’s important to have an open conversation about what they’re experiencing as soon as possible. Remember to stay non-judgemental and open-minded and let them know you’re there to support them.
If a young person says they don’t have an eating problem but you’re still concerned, speak with a mental health professional for advice and support.
What Support Can Boarding Schools Offer Adolescents With Eating Disorders?
Many boarding schools can offer a level of support for adolescents with eating disorders who continue to stay in school. The kind of support schools offer depends on each school’s capacities and the needs of a young person. In general, schools are not equipped to care for young people with more serious eating disorders.
If a young person has an eating disorder, it’s crucial that they receive professional support. School staff may work with parents and the young person to begin eating disorder treatment with doctors, therapists, nutritionists, and other mental health professionals.
Alongside professional treatment, boarding schools can often provide other forms of support and care. They may have school counsellors, nurses, doctors, and pastoral staff who can offer support in between and alongside therapy sessions. Teaching staff are usually trained in the basics of eating disorders and can be an important source of emotional support.
Supportive and warm interpersonal relationships are fundamental to recovery from eating disorders. In a boarding school setting, young people may be able to develop close, trusting bonds with different members of staff, as well as peers. These relationships can help young people develop a broader, positive sense of self that values their many strengths and attributes rather than focusing on food and body shape. They can also reinforce healthy behaviours that promote recovery and change.
That said, young people may not find this support in every boarding school. Some schools may lack the capacity to adequately care for every young person. In other cases, a young person may not feel connected to the members of staff who are ready to help. In these circumstances, it may be better to take a break from the school environment.
Do Boarding Schools Always Involve Parents?
For children under 16, schools usually directly inform parents if a young person develops an eating problem or encourage a young person to do so themselves. If a young person doesn’t want to speak with their parents, the school will inform them unless it is inappropriate to do so or there are child protection issues.
For older adolescents, schools may agree not to inform parents as long as the young person attends treatment and follows guidelines.
When Should a Young Person Take Time Out of School?
Boarding schools may have the experience and expertise to support some young people with eating disorders, but they are not best equipped to take care of those with disordered eating behaviours of a certain severity or duration. Young people often develop co-occurring mental health conditions that complicate the treatment process and require more intensive support.
Sometimes, young people need residential care with specialised medical support to keep them safe as they recover.
At the same time, school environments can sometimes act as a barrier to eating disorder recovery. Under the academic and social pressures of school life, finding time for reflection and change can be hard. As eating disorders progress, concentrating during lessons can become increasingly challenging, causing frustration and reinforcing low self-esteem.
For some young people, the ideal of the ‘perfect student’ can drive perfectionist thinking patterns that often underpin eating disorders.
Many boarding schools now use BMI to decide when a young person should take a break from school. However, BMI is not a tool for eating disorder diagnosis nor a criterion for starting treatment. It’s essential to consider a young person’s emotional, social, and physical well-being when determining the kind of support they require to ensure those who need a higher level of care are not overlooked.
Continuing Education at The Wave Clinic
When a child takes time out of school for mental health treatment, it doesn’t mean they have to stop learning. Young people must continue their education so they don’t feel left behind. Pausing education entirely can harm a young person’s self-concept and self-esteem, at odds with the aims of eating disorder treatment.
When a young person takes a break from boarding school, they usually enter an intensive outpatient or residential care. In both situations, continuing education should be a priority. The most effective treatment options may include academic and vocational education in their programs or help liaise with education providers to ensure ongoing learning.
At the Wave Clinic, we offer remote learning, tailored curriculum, and online school options as part of our residential programs. We partner with Pearson – an established online education provider – and prestigious schools to offer online learning programs of exceptional quality. We also provide personalised, one-on-one in-person tutoring with teachers, tutors, and lecturers based in Kuala Lumpur. Many of these educators have experience working at UK and US universities and schools in the region.
We tailor our approach to each student’s academic level, helping them continue their curriculum while exploring new learning opportunities. Alongside academic learning, we collaborate with secondary and higher education institutions to support students in gaining qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, IBs, foundation degrees, and vocational certificates.
Contact Us
The Wave Clinic offers specialist residential and outpatient programs to young people with eating disorders and other mental health concerns. We’re here to make a difference in the lives of young people – contact us today to learn more.
