The CDC, Center For Disease Control and Prevention, has reported that bullying affects 25% of adolescents in middle school and 20% of teens in high school. Bullying has short and long term consequences. It is important to address these signs of bullying as soon as possible as the effects can become more and more serious if left unattended to…
As parents or caretakers some of these effects are visibly present making it easier to recognize and address. Other consequences of bullying are not as obvious. If you notice any of these signs it is important to get proper help from a professional who can process past events and teach life skills to deal with such experiences.
Some of the short-term effects on the victim of bullying are:
Low self esteem
Changes in Eating Habits
Social Isolation
Shame
Sleep Disturbance
Avoiding going to school
School performance declining
Anxiety
Psychosomatic symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, muscle aches… all with no known medical cause)
Bedwetting
Some of the long-term effects on the victim of bullying:
Self –destructive behavior
Chronic depression
Anxiety Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Difficulty trusting and having relationships
Substance abuse
If you feel your teen has been a victim of bullying and would like some help. I would love to work with them. Please feel free to contact me.