The Effects Of Bullying On The Brain.
Bullying is a stressful and traumatic experience that can leave long-lasting effects on a child’s brain.
Naturally, stress impacts the brain in various ways, as a child their developing brain can be altered and cause effects that can last through adulthood.
Victims of bullying often struggle with symptoms of anxiety, poor self-esteem, depression, drug abuse, and other Mental Health illnesses. Bullying has also been linked to behaviors of self-harm and suicide.
What is classified as bullying?
Bullying can occur in different forms:
Physical - hitting, kicking, tripping, shoving
Verbal- Name calling, teasing, spreading rumors
Damage to property of the victim
Cyberbullying- Use of technology to tease, harass, and spread rumors or inappropriate unauthorized content.
How does bullying affect the brain?
Research has shown that those who experience chronic bullying have structural differences in their brains compared to those who have not been bullied. Some of the areas of the brain affected included the putamen, caudate and white matter changes in the brain which are linked to Anxiety and Depression. Research has also shown that stress hormones released during bullying also can cause a decline of our immune system.
You can read more about the effects of the brain by reading the following articles:
The effects of bullying in depression on white matter integrity
Peer victimization and its impact on adolescent brain development and psychopathology
Is it too late to help a child’s developing brain after they have been bullied?
No, it is not too late! After someone has experienced a traumatic event that has caused a change in their brain and perception of life it is important to receive care to help heal the wounds. This is why it is extremely important to reach out to a mental health professional to help heal the wounds of traumatic events you may have experienced.
Therapy allows us to explore our wounds and create a better narrative for our story so that we are not held back by our past. When you are working with a professional exploring the events that have happened you allow the opportunity to release your experiences in a safe space where you can be yourself without fear of being judged. You also are given the opportunity to discover your limiting beliefs and create beliefs that will help you grow.
Whether you have experienced a traumatic event like bullying as a child recently or if you are an adult who has experienced bullying, it is not too late to get help and change your story!
Additional resources regarding Bullying:
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Bullying Resource Center
US Department of Health and Human Services: StopBullying.gov
Childhood Trauma Leaves Lasting Marks on the Brain (2011)
Mental Health America: What to do if I’m bullied
David’s Law: Stop bullying now: SB 179 85th Texas Legaslative Session
Childhood Trauma Leaves Lasting Marks on the Brain
