Bullying and its Impact on Mental Health

Bullying is defined as aggressive behavior directed towards another person with the intent of causing bodily and mental injury and pain. Although bullying is most common in childhood, its consequences can endure a lifetime. Bullying can take the form of physical violence, verbal abuse, or neglect. There is sufficient evidence in study to indicate a link between bullying and mental health disorders. Bullying has a negative impact on a child's physical, mental, and social functioning. Bullying leads to emotional and cognitive dysregulation, which results in mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance misuse, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and eating disorders.

Bullying survivors, according to research, suffer depression in maturity. Social, biological, and psychological factors all contribute to depression. Socially, the victim of bullying is fighting to fit in. Bullying reduces their resistance, which leads to isolation. Being isolated decreases the victim's self-esteem and sense of value, leading them to believe they deserve to be abused. Stress and worry can lead to a vicious cycle of rumination, suicide ideation, and attempts in children and adolescents. Because the neural system controlling the sad mood was already hyper-aroused during childhood bullying incidents, a bully survivor becomes sensitive to depression in adulthood.

Bullying has a negative impact on anxiety disorders. Bullying instills acute and uncontrollable fear, as well as constant worry. The victim recalls confronting the bully and the resulting pain. Worse, youngsters are spending more time in school. As a result, they are constantly stressed for extended periods of time. As a result of the encounter, they may acquire anxiety and panic attacks, generalized stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.?

Creating a happy learning environment is critical for children and young people. Bullying should be discouraged by school administration. Bullying will be reduced on school grounds if repercussions are imposed on bullies. Caregivers can also help to avoid bullying at school by enforcing anti-bullying policies at home. Inform the bully that the consequences of their actions will be felt at home. Kindness should be promoted in schools and communities, and efforts should be rewarded with positive reinforcement. Caregivers at home can also teach children empathy. Positive reinforcement is also useful to children.