Managing Transition Back to School For Families and Educators

Manage Expectations: Students with BPD often experience the sense of pressure to return to school with a full course load in a frantic attempt to make up for lost time. This often backfires and leads to stress, symptoms, maladaptive behaviors, and relapse. It is important for students, parents and schools to set realistic goals that support the likelihood of successful reintegration and completion of courses.

Emotional Experiences Associated with a Medical Leave: It’s important to understand the emotional devastation of falling ‘out of synch’ with one’s classmates. This is often cited as a primary source of hopelessness/suicidality which only further reinforces the sense of not belonging, being inadequate, or a failure, etc. It is crucial to help people understand that “time out” for necessary treatment, such as a medical leave, is an investment in ensuring that they will then have the necessary tools and skills to return and sustain school.

People must be given genuine ‘permission’ to take care of themselves which might mean time off from school to stabilize. Treatment for BPD must be on par with any medically indicated leave.

Structure and time management are important skills to develop over time. Those with BPD often struggle with being alone. Having a schedule with structured activities throughout the day can help manage these feelings and reduce social isolation.

Keep in mind that BPD is treatable and not necessarily a lifelong illness. Provided with the necessary support and accommodations students with BPD have a greater chance of completing their education. Which in turn increases their ability to engage in productive work, social relationships, and achieve autonomy. All of which contribute significantly to the best treatment outcomes.