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Bullying Linked to Continued Depression and Social Anxiety

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I just read some interesting but unfortunate news. A recent study of 210 college students found that bullying in grade school appears to increase the chances that the victim will suffer from depression or social anxiety later in life. That includes the often overlooked social bullying, which refers to non-physical forms of bullying, such as gossiping, spreading rumors and verbal attacks.

School administrators have a lot of trouble trying to stop social bullying because it happens more secretly and does not leave as blatant of evidence as physical bullying.

Perhaps parents and schools could provide prevention programs such as having sensitivity programs and teaching students about the damage that bullying causes.

Also, I bet providing high-quality psychological care to all students could help. It would help victims deal with bullying and avoid depression and anxiety. It would help bullies overcome their psychological problems that cause them to bully.

Although it’s mostly a light-hearted teen comedy, I think the movie Mean Girls does a good job exploring the social bullying so common among schoolgirls.

What do you think?

By | April 24th, 2008 | SHOW COMMENTS (10)

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10 Responses

  1. Master Jack says

    You should drill with your children what they should do if they are ever bullied, kids can be most cruel. there are some good self defense instructors who can teach some practical defense to your children. you should give your child some lessons to give him or her a few good tools to cope. I teach a children’s class here in Utah and along with the traditional martial arts we drill some street defense for kids.find a good instructor and talk often with your kids about bullies and how to deal with them, I tell my kids the best defense in the world is RUN!
    Master Jack Eastman
    2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do
    5th Dan Combat Tae Kwon Do

  2. Master Jack says

    You should drill with your children what they should do if they are ever bullied, kids can be most cruel. there are some good self defense instructors who can teach some practical defense to your children. you should give your child some lessons to give him or her a few good tools to cope. I teach a children’s class here in Utah and along with the traditional martial arts we drill some street defense for kids.find a good instructor and talk often with your kids about bullies and how to deal with them, I tell my kids the best defense in the world is RUN!
    Master Jack Eastman
    2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do
    5th Dan Combat Tae Kwon Do

  3. barbie oyunlari says

    I, too, had experience with bullies as a child, and I can definitely attest to the truth that bullying can cause ongoing anxiety even into adult years.

  4. Reklam says

    Parents and schools ought to work together to provide prevention programs that identify the side effects of bullying thus safeguarding the future of our kids. Ok !

    Thanks Admins

  5. Esther Passaris says

    this is useful awareness info for both the one bullying and the victim. I strongly feel that both need help before it leads to serious problems like the ones mentioned above. Parents and schools ought to work together to provide prevention programs that identify the side effects of bullying thus safeguarding the future of our kids.

  6. Sandy says

    I agree that parents and schools should come together to try and prevent bullying. Together they can explain to the kids how their need to verbally or physically abuse someone else is the result of a psychological issue. Growing up, I was always put to the test by bullies because I was quiet and held my tongue on a lot of things, but I always held my ground by fighting back and showing them that I wasn’t afraid of them. Of course my rebellion against the bullies stopped them from harassing me, but it still didn’t solve the psychological problem.

  7. Costa Rica Travel Guide says

    I, too, had experience with bullies as a child, and I can definitely attest to the truth that bullying can cause ongoing anxiety even into adult years.

  8. Air Jordans says

    Yes I agree that bullying can cause depression, anxiety and low self esteem. And it is a good idea that parents and schools should provide prevention programs. This will save a lot of youngsters from damage caused by bullying.

  9. Rosie says

    You are absolutely right about the life long damage bullies do to their victims.

    A very close childhood friend of mine was picked on in school by a couple of obnoxious boys. They were relentless and caused her a lot of pain.

    She was a very passive, polite child and would not fight back verbally or physically.

    I tried to intervene for my friend but if I wasn’t around they would verbally attack her.

    Bullies remind me of the criminal predators in society. They pick on the weakest. It is hard for some people to stand up for themselves.

    Wish I had an easy answer because it is a big problem. Parents need to have a sit down with their child who may be shy or passive and try to build them up so they don’t appear weak and vulnerable.

  10. Kath says

    As a survivor of bullying myself as a child, a teen and again as an adult, I can totally agree that it causes anxiety, depression and low self esteem for the rest of the victim’s life. I think part of the problem is that many victims claims are dismissed or negated. Or they’re told “stand up for yourself”. That’s the problem with bullying, the bullies put you in a position where you feel you CAN’T.

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