Back to School with Confidence, Compassion and Care: Supporting Adolescents in Eating Disorder Recovery
As summer slows down, the back-to-school season can bring a mix of anticipation and anxiety. For many adolescents, it's a time of fresh notebooks, new schedules, and renewed friendships. But for those navigating recovery from an eating disorder, this transition can also bring increased stress, uncertainty, and emotional vulnerability.
At Backcountry Wellness, an adolescent eating disorder treatment center in Greenwich, CT, we understand that school isn’t just about academics—it’s a social and emotional landscape that can either support or challenge a teen’s mental health journey. In this post, we offer insight into how parents and educators can help adolescents approach the school year with confidence and stability.
Why the School Year Can Be Challenging for Adolescents in Recovery
The transition back to school marks a significant shift in routine, social dynamics, and expectations. For many teens, this change brings opportunities for growth and connection. However, for adolescents recovering from eating disorders, the school environment can present unique challenges that impact emotional well-being and recovery progress.
While returning to school can offer structure, it also introduces pressures that may complicate recovery:
Social comparison is often heightened in school settings, especially when it comes to appearance and body image. From hallway conversations to photos on social media, teens are regularly exposed to subtle and overt messages about how they “should” look. School is a highly visual, peer-focused environment where body-based comparisons become constant—whether in the gym locker room, at lunchtime, or through classroom discussions about health and nutrition. For adolescents in recovery, this can reinforce negative self-perception and make it harder to maintain progress toward a healthier relationship with their body.
Academic stress can trigger perfectionism or coping behaviors linked to disordered eating. Many adolescents with eating disorders also struggle with perfectionistic thinking—setting unrealistically high standards and tying self-worth to achievement. The pressure to earn good grades, participate in extracurriculars, and keep pace with peers can feel overwhelming. For teens in recovery, school-related stress may activate old coping mechanisms, such as restricting food intake, overexercising, or engaging in other disordered behaviors as a way to regain control. Without proper support, the demands of school can undermine recovery progress.
Schedule disruptions may interfere with essential routines like meal times, therapy sessions, and self-care practices. Recovery often relies on consistency—regular meals, therapeutic support, and time for rest and reflection are critical components. Early start times, long days, and packed extracurricular schedules can disrupt these routines. Teens may struggle to eat breakfast, attend therapy appointments, or carve out time for calming, restorative activities. These small shifts can add up, creating gaps in care and increasing vulnerability to relapse if not addressed proactively.
Isolation or bullying can exacerbate feelings of shame or anxiety. Adolescents returning to school after treatment—or navigating recovery quietly—may feel different from their peers. They might worry about being judged, misunderstood, or excluded, especially if their eating disorder affected their social life. Peers may comment on changes in appearance, eating habits, or attendance, even unintentionally. More overt bullying or social exclusion can deepen shame, loneliness, and self-doubt. This emotional isolation is especially dangerous for teens in recovery, reinforcing the negative beliefs that drive disordered behaviors.
Teens in recovery may not always speak openly about their struggles—but subtle signs like withdrawal, irritability, or avoidance of meals and school activities can signal that support is needed. Recognizing these behaviors gently allows trusted adults to respond with empathy—and connect teens to the care and understanding they deserve.
Supporting a Safe Transition: Tips for Parents and Educators
Parents and school staff each play crucial, but distinct, roles in supporting adolescents returning to school during or after recovery from an eating disorder. Parents set the tone for emotional safety and routine at home, while educators shape much of a teen’s daily social environment. When these caregivers work collaboratively and with awareness, they create a powerful network of support that helps teens feel understood, secure, and empowered.
Parents:
Open the door for honest conversations. Encourage your teen to share their feelings without fear of judgment or immediate problem-solving. Normalize the anxiety or excitement they may feel about returning to school. Rather than offering immediate solutions, listen with empathy and validate their experience: “It makes sense you’re nervous; starting something new is always hard.” This approach builds trust and encourages teens to seek help when needed.
Stick to a predictable routine. Consistency is vital in eating disorder recovery. Collaborate with your teen to establish regular meal times, homework periods, and downtime that fit around school schedules. Routines don’t need to be rigid, but reliable structure reduces stress and minimizes relapse risk. For example, preparing lunches or outfits the night before can create calmer mornings.
Coordinate with care teams. Maintain open communication with therapists, dietitians, and school counselors. This collaboration ensures consistent messaging and support across environments. If your teen is reluctant to share details, reassure them that your advocacy is about their well-being, not monitoring.
Educators and School Staff:
Foster body-neutral environments. Avoid language and activities emphasizing dieting, weight, or appearance, as these can trigger body dissatisfaction. For instance, discuss “healthy eating” in terms of nourishment and energy rather than weight loss. Encourage inclusive classroom discussions that celebrate diverse bodies and abilities to help all students feel valued.
Be mindful of curriculum content. Review health and physical education materials with sensitivity. Collaborate with school nurses or counselors to provide alternative assignments or accommodations when topics like nutrition or weigh-ins may affect students in recovery. Private weigh-ins or opt-outs can protect vulnerable students’ dignity.**
Know when to refer. Stay attuned to behavioral changes such as withdrawal, perfectionism, or distress. Gently encourage students to connect with counselors or mental health professionals rather than confronting them. For example: “I’ve noticed you seem stressed lately. There’s someone at school who can help if you want.” This respects autonomy while opening doors to support.
This combined effort can make all the difference in helping adolescents navigate challenges and maintain progress throughout the school year.
How Backcountry Wellness Can Help
Backcountry Wellness is a proud member of Project HEAL’s HEALers Circle, reflecting our commitment to accessible, compassionate care for adolescents with eating disorders nationwide. As teens return to school, we work closely with families to ensure each client has the tools, structure, and support they need to succeed both academically and emotionally.
Located in Greenwich, CT, we offer a full continuum of personalized treatment—from residential care to outpatient services—grounded in compassion and connection.
Each level of care is designed to support academic continuity wherever possible. Our on-site teacher partners directly with schools to ensure accommodations, coordination, and communication that uphold both recovery and learning.
Our programs are fully in-network with major insurance providers, ensuring accessible care for clients and families.
If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of back-to-school season while in recovery, Backcountry Wellness is here to help. Visit backcountrywellness.com or call our admissions team at (203) 992-1700 to learn more.
**Note from Project HEAL: While sometimes mandatory, school-based weigh-ins may be a trigger and source of stigma among teens in recovery, and have the potential to exacerbate disordered eating behaviors in students not currently experiencing eating disorders.
