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Students with Psychological / Psychiatric Disabilities

The terms "mental illness" and "psychiatric disability" are often used interchangeably. Specifically the population we are addressing consists of people with serious mental health problems that may limit their major life activities during periods of illness. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are some examples of mental illnesses.

In the past fifteen years, individuals living with psychiatric disabilities, communities and families have struggled with the reality of living within a community. Increasingly, they have advocated for their inclusion in post-secondary institutions. Education in inclusive settings for people with psychiatric disabilities for whom post-secondary education has been interrupted or intermittent, often require ongoing support services to be successful in the educational environment. With these supports in place, students living with psychiatric disabilities can and do succeed in post-secondary educational environments.

Although mental illness is not an intellectual disability, symptoms can affect academic performance. Mental illness impacts individuals differently, and as such, it is not possible to say how a specific diagnosis might affect performance. The following are a list of possible manifestations of psychiatric disorders and their effects on a student:

  • Fear in approaching figures of authority
  • Difficulty with concentration
  • Difficulty in screening out environmental stimuli
  • Trouble maintaining stamina through out the day
  • Trouble initiating interpersonal contact
  • Trouble managing time and deadlines
  • Limited ability to tolerate noise and crowds
  • Difficulty focusing on multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Extreme reaction to negative feedback
  • Noticeable anxiety and confusion when given verbal instructions
  • Limited ability to tolerate interruption

Teaching Students with Psychological/Psychiatric Disabilities

Psychological disabilities may be chronic or short term, moderate or severe in nature, and will affect the student in your classroom in various ways. Psychological/psychiatric disabilities are true "invisible disabilities"; however, their impact on the student is as severe as that for more visibly disabled individuals.

Psychological/psychiatric disabilities cover a broad spectrum and describe (but are not limited to) those with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), severe anxiety, clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, alcohol or drug addiction, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders, and personality disorders or phobias. While students with other lifelong disorders may have "come to terms" with their disability and are able to discuss its impact on themselves and their learning, most psychological disorders (notably schizophrenia and bipolar) are often diagnosed in late teens and early twenties. With this late diagnosis, students have not had time to accept or truly understand their illness, and may be unwilling or unable to discuss it.

Many students with diagnosed psychological/psychiatric disorders are on medications, which may have side effects such as drowsiness, headaches or lethargy.

While many psychological/psychiatric disorders may present on the surface as exam anxiety or late assignments, it is crucial not to dismiss them. This presenting behavior may be indicative of a more serious psychological or psychiatric disorder. A referral to Counselling is recommended if you suspect a student may have a serious problem.

Instructional Strategies

  • May help to break assignments into smaller and more manageable goals
  • As concentration may be an issue, it is helpful to vary content of lectures
  • Schedule breaks in longer lectures
  • Praise often helps students overcome feelings of discouragement
  • Be firm about your availability for meetings/discussions in order to avoid dependency
  • Do not attempt to counsel on your own. Most students will have sought professional counselling
  • Encourage student to use campus support systems, i.e., Health and Counselling Services

Exam Accommodation

  • Extended time for exams
  • Distraction-free environment
  • Computer to organize longer responses
  • May benefit from supervised word or definition list.

Classroom Accommodation

Students with this disability may need permission to discuss alternate deadlines due to the cyclical nature of their disability.

Other Supports

  • Coaches
  • Stress management training
  • Assistance with prioritizing study time
  • Time management and study skills training
  • Support in disclosing their disability to an instructor