Long term effects
Bullying has been under estimated for years and though it hurts a child/a youngster more than just for a little while. It has long term effects on the soul. It leaves someone even in adulthood in a constant alert mode, not knowing who is going mock one or call him/her stupid...walking on eggshells... being in fear. Most of these people develop anxieties, depression, health issues like stomach ache, headaches, symptoms of borderline personality disorder and don’t know where that comes from.
Types of bullying
Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional abuse. These days social media platforms are a new way to reach somebody out and send nasty threatening messages. Sometimes the emotional pain can reach the point of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Life becomes too painful and complicated with the pain, the violence. Physical violence is even easier to forget than verbal violence.
Bullied kids can bully others
It is not unusual that bullied children bully others later. These kids have the highest risk for mental illnesses and for behavioural issues as an adult like antisocial personality disorder. And have problems to make and keep friends.
Help seeking
Finding help is not a problem, looking for help and recognising that one has been once a victim of an abuse is more difficult. In my practice in Wiesbaden I take the time to get to know the person and to analyse the situation.
In my psychotherapy practice in Wiesbaden I open space for these hurt feelings and acknowledge the wounds in the soul. One of my tasks to heal from bullying is to establish or develop somebody’s self-confidence first. Then I would look for resources which are hidden deep down. Finally I would try to desensitize the traumatic experience with an effective method called E.M.D.R, which was proven right in many occasions.
