Bullying
can happen in a variety of capacities and settings. Contrary to popular belief,
bullying is not mutually exclusive to childhood; there are many adults who are
regularly subjected to ongoing mistreatment from others.
Bullies
can exist in families, the workplace, relationships, or other social circles.
The dynamics and situations at hand can impact the specifics of bullying, but
this doesn't make the practice any less toxic or harmful. Bullying comes with a
series of long term effects which can severely diminish someone's quality of
life.
Reviewing The Long Term Effects Of Bullying
One
of the most important things to understand about bullying is the fact that long
term effects are very real. Thankfully, this is something which more and more
people are beginning to acknowledge.
For
far too long, bullying was regarded as something which people should simply get
over. However, it's been proven that bullying has very real emotional,
psychological and even physical impacts on individuals who are targeted.
Self-Destruction
The
erosion of self-esteem and self-worth can often follow when an individual is
ongoingly exposed to bullying. Sometimes, people internalize the messages which
are routinely conveyed by bullies.
More
often than not, this message asserts that the victim simply is worthless,
unimportant, or not good enough. Despite how untrue this maybe when someone is
constantly fed this misinformation, it still leaves an impact. The impact
worsens if a victim of bullying lacks the proper support system or positive
influences in their life.
In
many cases, self-destructive individuals are not consciously aware that the
bullying they experienced has contributed to their present propensity for bad
decision-making.
Trouble With Healthy Interpersonal
Relationships
Sometimes,
when a person is subjected to bullying, they can begin to build up walls as a
means of self-protection. Unfortunately, these walls can be so deeply rooted
that they alienate good people who could actually make a positive difference.
This effect of bullying truly speaks to the significant emotional wounds which
are often inflicted as a result of this mistreatment.
On
a conscious level, someone may know that not every person is a bully; however,
they may also fear that taking the risk of opening up to others simply isn't
worth it. This is sad, but trust issues and challenges with maintaining healthy
friendships and relationships are linked to bullying.
Depression
Many
bullied individuals feel trapped and unable to escape the terror of their
bullies. If there are power dynamics at play, then this feeling often worsens.
Each situation is different and feeling trapped in a terrible situation with no
apparent way out can truly send someone spiraling into depression.
Depressed
persons are likelier to withdraw from others, deal with internal complexes, and
experience thoughts of suicide. Depression is something that must be taken
seriously and is characterized by a persistent low mood with negative thinking
that has lasted for longer than two weeks. A person's behavior is likely to
change as well as it becomes difficult for them to function normally.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD
happens as an aftereffect of exposure to something which is traumatic and
shocking. Now, when many individuals think of PTSD triggers, they think of
kidnappings, natural disasters, or other events which may be viewed as more
"extreme" than bullying. However, if the bullying behavior was severe
enough for the victim to feel a total loss of control or that their lives were
in danger, PTSD can sometimes result.
Overcoming The Long Term Effects Of Bullying
Reading
about some of the many ways in which bullying can adversely impact someone can
be challenging. Of course, each person's experiences are unique and certain
effects may manifest in different ways than others.
However,
there is no denying the existence of long term bullying effects. Ultimately, it
is important for everyone to understand ways to overcome bullying and the
aftermath which generally follows.
Don't Beat Yourself Up for Feeling Badly
Allowing
yourself to process the emotions that come along with experiencing bullying is
one of the best things you can do to overcome or even counteract long term
effects. In many cases, people are told to "get over" certain
feelings, but it's healthy to process your emotions.
Anger,
sadness, frustration, etc are normal. Nobody enjoys being denigrated, picked
on, or otherwise mistreated by other people. The extent of the bullying, the
environment, and other factors can also impact how you feel. Take as much time
as you need to feel what you need to feel and don't let anyone make you
question it.
Have The Right Support System
The
impact that a great support system can have when bullying is involved is truly
remarkable. Having the right people in your corner ensures that you are not
alone. A support system can uplift you, encourage you, and give you something
positive to focus on.
Nip It In The Bud
If
you find yourself in a situation with a bully, reporting the incident to the
proper high-ups is always advisable. Dealing with bullying immediately is one
of the most effective ways to shielding yourself from the long term impacts.
Generally,
bullying which lasts for longer periods of time is more harmful than less
extended periods. Making notes and having documentation may also be a good idea
as well. Additionally, if you have witnesses who can vouch for you and support
your claims, this may also ensure that the bully is properly dealt with by the
right people.
Make Sure You Live Well
The
negative effects of bullying can hit ten times harder when the victim is
already dealing with other problems in their life. This is why making sure that
you're living a healthy life makes a difference. Taking a recreational class,
indulging in hobbies, and self-care are significant things which truly add up
over time.
Having
a good lifestyle (eating, sleeping, and exercising well) also ensures that you
have a clearer head when you are faced with challenges that you need to
overcome. Living a good life does not mean that you will never cross paths with
a bully, but it does increase your likelihood of being in a stronger mental and
emotional state.
Don't Harbor Anger
As
previously stated, feeling a whirlwind of emotions when faced with a bully is
natural. However, with that being said, harboring anger is a mistake. It's okay
to feel angry, but finding a healthy outlet to release this anger is
imperative.
Sometimes,
this outlet could involve meditating, working out at the gym, or participating
in an artistic activity, such as painting or drawing. It's up to you, but
healthy outlets make such a big difference. If you don't find constructive ways
of processing your anger, it will eventually poison you and sabotage the
opportunities in your life.
See if You Can Remove the Source
Depending
on the type of bully you are dealing with, simply removing them from your life
could very well be an option. If you are in a relationship with someone who is
bullying you, ending that relationship is most certainly the best course of
action.
You
deserve to have a significant other who respects you and has your best
interests at heart. If someone is bullying you online, blocking their accounts
is an option, as well.
Granted,
there are certain situations where removing the bully from your life is not
feasible or simple. However, if this is something you can do, it's another one
of the best ways to overcome the long term, negative effects which are linked
to bullying.
Source: https://bit.ly/2JIYnYm
About the author
Gabrielle
Seunagal is a full-time freelance writer who regularly contributes to the
Advice column for BetterHelp. Over the course of Gabrielle’s career, she has
developed a passion for writing content which pertains to various mental health
subject matters. Psychology, therapy, and the underlying factors which impact
human emotions are some of Gabrielle’s areas of expertise. The world can
be full of ups and downs, but Gabrielle believes that understanding what’s
inside of ourselves and truly evaluating who we are as individuals can make a
difference and contribute to our growth and betterment.
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