The Consequences of Bullying on Victims

What is Bullying?

The U.S. Department of Education and the Center for Disease Control reported that the main signs of bullying are:

• Aggressive behavior

• Power imbalance

• Repeated or likely to be repeated

Middle schoolers are most likely to be bullied. Most bullying in this age group is done in person. It involves name calling, spreading rumors, teasing, hitting, pushing, and threatening or sexual comments. Sometimes kids are bullied online.

Bullying can have a lot of long-term consequences that may last into adulthood.

Photo by Lucas Metz on Unsplash

Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harming behavior (especially in girls), alcohol and drug use and dependence, aggression, and involvement in crime or violence are some psychological effects of bullying (especially for boys). Bullying can cause mental health issues in kids of any age, but it's even more likely to happen to kids who already experience mental health issues.

Bullying that occurs on computers or mobile devices, or cyberbullying, has also been connected to mental health issues. Children who have experienced cyberbullying report higher levels of depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as more emotional distress, anger, and bad behavior compared to peers who haven't.

People who are bullied can experience depression and anxiety. They may feel rejected, isolated and alone. These feelings can turn into sadness, hopelessness, and despair.

Being bullied can also cause trust issues and problems communicating with other people.

All these problems can negatively impact academic performance and concentration. Grades may go down suddenly. Bullying can even cause a loss of appetite and difficulty with sleep. In extreme cases, victims of bullying may become suicidal or retaliate with violence.

The video below explains what it's like to be bullied (note that the video contains descriptions of violence and the use of offensive slurs):

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Of course, being hurt is one of the more obvious and immediate effects of bullying. But over time, the stress and trauma of bullying can also cause more physical problems.

A bullied child may experience:

• pain that won't go away

• pain or other problems that aren't related to a specific injury (headaches, stomach aches, unusual heartbeats, feeling nauseous or very tired)

• bedwetting and difficulty falling or staying asleep stomachaches

Bullying also causes an increase in cortisol, a stress hormone that the body naturally produces after a stressful experience. Bullying-related stress can affect hormones and the immune system. It can also impact brain activity.

Bullying can affect how well kids and teens perform in school. From kindergarten through high school, students who are bullied usually have lower grades.

When bullying happens in a social group, it can create a toxic environment where people feel unsafe and uncomfortable. This can lead to the exclusion of some people from the group, causing them to feel isolated and alone.

Bullying can also lead to cliques and hierarchies within social groups. This can create a power dynamic where people who are seen as "weaker" are targeted for bullying. It can also create a culture of fear and intimidation, where people are afraid to speak up for fear of becoming the next target.

Witnesses of bullying can be victims too.

Consequences for bystanders may include:

• An increased likelihood of using alcohol or drugs.

• Increased depression or anxiety.

• Feelings of helplessness.

• Missing or skipping school.

Now that you've learned about the consequences of bullying on victims and witnesses of bullying, the next time you see an incidence of bullying, ask yourself: