If you were bullied as a child, you might remember feeling helpless, uncomfortable, insecure, and alone. According to studies, the bullying you endured as a child may have been so terrible that you are still dealing with its after effects now. You might be untrusting of others, distrust yourself, and have poor friendships. If the bullying you endured as a youngster was never addressed or managed, it is very clear that there has been no healing or closure.
As a result, you probably still deal with the harm to your self-esteem. These residual impacts don’t just disappear because you got older. According to research, individuals who experienced bullying as children are more likely to experience anxiety disorders, depression, and suicide ideation. To learn more about the effect of childhood bullying on adulthood, seek Online Counselling at TalktoAngel.
Because it occurs so frequently throughout childhood, bullying may not seem like a significant concern. According to estimates, up to 35% of people have gone through it. We are typically supposed to have “moved on” by the time we reach adulthood. If the bullying you endured as a youngster was never addressed or managed, it is very clear that there has been no healing or closure. According to one study, bullying can be just as destructive to one’s mental health as child maltreatment, if not more so.
Even at the age of 50, 20% of those who have been bullied go on to develop mental health issues later in life. Some of them, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are simple to recognise, while others could be more challenging. These can range from sudden outbursts of rage to a lifelong sense of being beneath other people. Bullying has been the subject of a tremendous amount of research, most of which has concentrated on early consequences, intervention, and prevention. The long-term effects of bullying and contemporary forms, like cyber bullying, require further study.
Common types of bullying
- Name calling
- Teasing
- Spreading rumors or lies
- Pushing or shoving
- Hitting, slapping or kicking
- Leaving out
- Threatening
- Stealing belongings
- Sexual comments or gestures
- Email or blogging
Bullying victims frequently minimise, deny, or continue to engage in bullying. Alternatively, people give in to feelings of guilt, humiliation, or self-blame, thinking that if they had done anything different or worked harder to prevent the bullying, it would not have happened. The only way to begin the healing process is to acknowledge that the bullying occurred and that you were not responsible for it.
Additionally, it was discovered that bullied individuals had higher rates of unemployment, poorer earnings, and lower educational attainment than non-bullied individuals. They had a lower likelihood of being in a committed relationship or having strong social support. Bullying victims were more likely to have lower life satisfaction and quality as compared to their peers who had not been bullied. Bullying is still associated with poor social, physical, and mental consequences even after taking into account variables including childhood IQ, emotional and behavioral issues, parental socioeconomic position, and low parental involvement.
Dealing with the effects of bullying on our mental health as adults
Identify a support network
Your support network can be a tower of strength and aid in the processing of your emotions. Lean on your loved ones for support, Decide who can assist you, such as friends or family. You could share your sentiments and experience with them if you’re ready to talk about the dreadful event. You could ask family members to help you with household chores or other commitments to help you relieve some of your daily stress.
Even if your emotions are negative, process them.
Facing your problems and feelings are also very important. It’s normal to want to put a terrible experience behind you. But staying inside all day, cutting off contact with family and friends, and misusing drugs to block off reminders are not long-term healthy coping mechanisms. Although some avoidance is normal, going too far could make your stress last longer and keep you from recuperating. Reintroduce yourself to a regular schedule gradually.
It’s crucial to take care of yourself.
You need to make sure that you’re looking after yourself, whether that means eating a balanced diet or engaging in a favorite pastime like painting. “Prioritize taking care of yourself. Make an attempt to consume balanced meals, move around frequently, and get a good night’s sleep. Additionally, seek out other constructive coping mechanisms like art, music, meditation, rest, and time spent in nature.
Be persistent
There must be patience. Keep in mind that it’s normal to have a strong reaction to a stressful situation. During your recovery, focus on one day at a time. You should experience a steady improvement in your symptoms during the coming days.
Therefore, if you were bullied as a child, you should work to heal in order to enhance your mental health.
If you or your partner wants to learn more about the effect of childhood bullying on adulthood, feel free to seek Relationship Counselling at TalktoAngel.
