Bullying refers to the action a person or group of people takes on a weaker individual who belittles, hurts, or humiliates himself or herself in front of other people. At times, the victim is physically hurt, verbally abused, insulted, called by various names, or even tarnished his or her dignity by spreading rumors about him or her. This usually happens in schools, but it can also be experienced in offices and other public places.
For some, the concept of bullying is just normal and is really part of growing up. But for experts and doctors, it has a bad psychological effect on the victim.
Adverse effects of bullying on victims:
Fear and anxiety.
Avoid going to school.
Having a violent personality.
Depression.
Suicide.
Who are the most bullied?
Anyone can be a bully. Often, they want to be a hero or take the lead in everything. They want to manipulate other people around them. Therefore, they want to dominate the world they live in and they do not care how other people around them feel. Such personalities are often the result of insecurity themselves, or they may be a reflection of one's own family or past experience.
Who are the victims of bullying?
People who are often victims of bullying are individuals who are different compared to the majority in a group. They are shy, quiet, of a different race, of the opposite sex, with disabilities, and other statuses that are not widely accepted.
How to determine if your child is a victim of bullying?
Here are some indications that your child may be a victim of bullying:
Coming home with an unexplained wound or scar.
Go home with broken clothes or lost belongings.
Often avoid or are afraid of going to school
It hurts itself
No interest in friendships or participation in extra curricular activities
Low self-confidence
Always sad or suffering from depression
What should victims of bullying do?
For young victims of bullying, the best way to avoid it is to report it to a senior and trusted individual. It should also be reported to anyone in authority such as a teacher, parent, or guidance councilor.
If the situation of bullying can lead to physical pain, it is best to control the anger you feel and avoid being alone. Find a trusted friend and, as much as possible, stay with him or her at all times.
Adverse Health Impact of Bullying
Young victims of bullying can experience a variety of adverse effects on their health.
Mental health problems. Children who experience bullying are at high risk for depression, anxiety, sleep problems, low self-esteem and may have a tendency to commit suicide.
Low academic performance. They may not want to go to school anymore and are getting low grades. Those who experience bullying often miss class, do not attend or drop out of school.
Substance abuse. Those who experience bullying are more likely to drink alcohol and use illicit drugs. This becomes their way of forgetting the bullying experience.
Violence. Some children who have been bullied become violent and hurtful. This is their outlet for the bullies they have experienced.
Do not expect many more to experience bullying as they may experience this adverse effect on their health and personal life. End the silence. Stop the violence.
Children who are bullied may experience negative physical, school performance, and mental health issues.
A child being bullied can have depression, anxiety, depression, change of diet or sleep, lose interest in routine activities that he or she used to enjoy.
The child can carry the effects of bullying until adulthood. It can get sick, drop academic achievement or exam, miss class, drop out of school, and become violent.
Watch the children's behavior if there is something strange. Ask the child how he or she feels to be able to anticipate the situation and to solve the child's problem.
Adults bully too and adults are bullied as well. Bullying will never stop because those people are not punished for their behaviour. Many of them have parents who do exactly the same.