Do I Need to Understand Bullying?
Bullying is nothing new; it’s been happening in some form or another since the beginning of time. Of course, it’s taken on different forms over the centuries, but the core of what bullying is remains the same.
From teasing and threats to physical harm, bullying is often associated with school-aged children. However, it can happen at any age to anyone. Unfortunately, no matter your age or situation, bullying is likely to affect your emotions and well-being when you’re being targeted.
But, who does bullying really affect? What are the consequences of bullying, and what can you do if you’re a target?
The One Being Bullied
Obviously, if you’re being bullied, it’s going to take a toll. The emotional abuse often sustained by bullying can have lasting effects. It can be a major blow to your self-esteem, especially if you were bullied as a child. You might still believe some of the things that were said about you, contributing to a lack of confidence and negative self-image.
The effects of bullying can change the way you live your life. If you let the negative talk of others permeate the way you see yourself, it can create issues in your career, friendships, and romantic relationships. You might believe that you aren’t “good enough” for these things, potentially leading to additional abuse.
The Perpetrator
Most people don’t think of how bullying actually impacts the person doing it. People don’t tend to attack others — verbally or physically — for no reason. It’s not uncommon for those who bully to be dealing with heavy, harmful situations of their own.
That could include personal trauma or abuse, low self-esteem, or neglect. Some people bully to get attention. Others want to feel like they’re stronger than someone else because they’re insecure.
Unfortunately, those who bully also tend to engage in risky behaviors, especially in adulthood. Children who bully are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol as they get older, and emotionally abusive behavior can quickly turn into physical violence.
The Bystander
Bullying can be hard to watch, and a potentially traumatic experience for those witnessing it. They can experience co-victimization simply by observing someone else being bullied. Depending on the severity of the words or actions, seeing someone being bullied can be somewhat traumatizing for a person.
Bystanders might also struggle with guilt and shame. Even if there was nothing they could do to stop the behavior, they might feel like they should have stepped in or helped in some way. That can lead to symptoms of depression and low self-esteem.
What Can You Do?
As you can see, bullying impacts almost everyone. Being a bully doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad person with no remorse for what you’ve done. Chances are, you were taking your own pain and confusion out on others.
Being bullied can be extremely damaging, especially if you experienced it as a child. But you don’t have to define the rest of your life by what was said or done to you in the past.
Therapy will equip you with tools to handle online challenges effectively, fostering a relationship built on trust and open communication. Consider it as a partnership in nurturing a resilient, informed family unit.
Therapists at Wellness Matters can help. Feel free to contact us today to set up an appointment. You can connect with the Wellness Matters Intake Coordinator by texting or calling (218) 616-1276
At Wellness Matters, the intake process is all on-line and can be done in less than fifteen minutes. On-line appointments make it possible to attend appointments from the comfort from your home or office. In-person services may also be available for people living in northern MN.
