Bullying and Its Impact on Mental Health: A Personal Journey

Q: Bullying and Its Impact on Mental Health: A Personal Journey

Hello Student Y： Based on your description, it seems that your experience of being bullied has significantly impacted your emotions and daily life. <br>You may be exhibiting symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as re-experiencing past trauma, avoid

Bullying and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

When I was in seventh grade, I experienced bullying and verbal harassment from my classmates, which made me feel isolated.
No matter what I did, I was always alone.
I often made uncomfortable excuses to skip school to avoid going.
During that time, they constantly spoke ill of me behind my back.
I suffered from insomnia every night, and I even had thoughts of suicide.
I took a depression assessment and it indicated moderate symptoms.
I was very scared, so I went for psychological counseling once.
Even in eighth grade, I was still verbally attacked by a few of them, who said many derogatory things about me.

One day in a physics and chemistry class, I was grouped with a classmate (referred to as 1) and another student (referred to as 2).
Classmate 1 encouraged 2 to reconcile with me, and after that, I was no longer bullied or excluded.
However, I feel that I did not truly reconcile with 2.
Their attitude changed significantly, and sometimes when 2 talks to me, I still feel awkward and dismissive.
2's behavior makes me feel scared.
Recently, when I tried to recall the bullying incidents, I found it very difficult, almost as if those memories didn’t exist.

Once, I had a dream where I was sitting in a classroom, preparing to talk to someone, but I realized that everyone was ignoring me.
I felt terrified, afraid of going back to that time, and tears streamed down my face.
When I woke up, I found that I was still crying, just like in the dream, and it took a long time for the tears to stop.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
Am I sick?
I would like to ask Dr.
Dai for help.

y, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/05/29

Dr. Dai Wanxiang reply Psychiatry

Hello Student Y: Based on your description, it seems that your experience of being bullied has significantly impacted your emotions and daily life.
You may be exhibiting symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as re-experiencing past trauma, avoidance, and heightened sensitivity, which can understandably leave you feeling helpless and anxious.
Since you are still a minor, I wonder if you have discussed your traumatic experiences and feelings with your parents, friends, or a school counselor?
Everyone has their own coping mechanisms when faced with traumatic events.
Emotional support from parents, teachers, and friends, along with various stress-relief methods such as exercise and leisure activities, can help you find balance in life and may facilitate self-healing.
However, if your distress persists for an extended period and significantly affects your life, seeking medical attention may be necessary.

Due to the limitations of online communication, I cannot conduct a detailed assessment of your situation.
Considering the severity and duration of your distress, I recommend that you visit a pediatric or adolescent psychiatry department at a hospital, accompanied by your parents.
Additionally, seeking support from school counseling resources and teachers may be beneficial.
If needed, you can then proceed to the hospital for further evaluation and assistance.
It may require collaboration among medical, psychological, familial, and educational resources, along with your own efforts, to navigate through this challenging time.
Wishing you well.

Reply Date: 2022/05/29

More Info

Your experience with bullying during your school years has undoubtedly had a profound impact on your mental health. Bullying, especially in formative years, can lead to a range of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The feelings of isolation, fear, and helplessness that you described are common among those who have been bullied, and it’s important to recognize that these feelings are valid and deserve attention.

From what you’ve shared, it seems that the bullying you faced not only affected your self-esteem but also led to significant emotional distress. The fact that you experienced insomnia and suicidal thoughts indicates that you were in a very vulnerable state. It’s commendable that you sought psychological counseling, even if it was just once. Counseling can be a valuable resource for processing traumatic experiences and developing coping strategies.

The lingering effects of bullying can manifest in various ways, including difficulty recalling specific memories related to the trauma. This phenomenon, known as dissociation, can occur as a coping mechanism. Your mind may be trying to protect you from the pain associated with those memories, which is why you might find it hard to remember the details of the bullying. However, when you do recall these events, it can trigger intense emotions, as evidenced by your dream where you felt fear and sadness.

It’s also worth noting that your relationship with the person who bullied you seems complicated. While you mentioned that the bullying stopped after a classmate intervened, your feelings of discomfort and fear around this individual suggest that the emotional scars remain. It’s not uncommon for victims of bullying to feel uneasy or anxious around their former bullies, even if the bullying has ceased.

In terms of whether you "have a disease," it’s essential to understand that your experiences and feelings are part of a broader spectrum of mental health challenges that many individuals face after experiencing trauma. You may not necessarily have a clinical diagnosis, but it’s clear that you are dealing with the aftermath of bullying, which can include anxiety, depression, and PTSD-like symptoms.

Here are some recommendations for moving forward:
1. Seek Professional Help: If you haven’t already, consider returning to a mental health professional for ongoing support. Therapy can help you process your experiences, develop coping strategies, and work through any lingering feelings of fear or anxiety.

2. Journaling: Writing about your feelings and experiences can be a therapeutic way to process your emotions. It may help you articulate your thoughts and gain clarity on your feelings.

3. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can help reduce anxiety and improve your emotional regulation.

4. Support Groups: Connecting with others who have experienced similar situations can provide a sense of community and understanding. Support groups can be a safe space to share your feelings and learn from others’ experiences.

5. Educate Yourself: Understanding the effects of bullying and trauma on mental health can empower you. Knowledge can help you recognize your feelings as valid and part of a healing process.

6. Establish Boundaries: If you feel uncomfortable around the individual who bullied you, it’s okay to set boundaries to protect your emotional well-being.

Remember, healing from trauma is a journey, and it’s okay to seek help along the way. You are not alone in this, and there are resources available to support you in your recovery.

Similar Q&A

Understanding School Bullying and Its Impact on Mental Health

Hello, doctor. I am a middle school student who has been bullied since the sixth grade and continues to be a victim of bullying in the eighth grade. Specifically, the bullying I experience is mainly relational bullying (exclusion) and verbal bullying. I hear classmates talking be...

Dr. Lin Mianzhang reply Psychiatry
Hello Afa: Living under the dual pressures of family and school can be really tough for you! I suggest that you seek assistance from the psychiatric department at a hospital, where there are doctors, psychologists, and social workers available to help you address your concerns. A...

Feeling Overwhelmed: Coping with Bullying in a New School Environment

Hello Doctor, I recently changed schools and have been trying to adapt to my new environment by changing my habits. However, I've been subjected to teasing, and even though I know it wasn't meant to be hurtful, I still find it very unpleasant and feel like I'm goin...

Dr. Liu Guangqi reply Psychiatry
From the perspective of an individual's emotional stability, one can consider personality, interpersonal relationships (including family, colleagues, friends, supervisors, romantic partners, etc.), and life events together for additional insights. Adapting to a new environme...

How Childhood Bullying Shapes Personality and Emotional Stability

When I was younger, I was originally very optimistic and cheerful, but I became withdrawn after being bullied in elementary school. Although I had teachers and classmates who helped me overcome this, my personality still tends to be unstable. I often take out my frustrations on c...

Dr. Peng Liyun reply Psychiatry
Hello, from your letter, it is clear that you are experiencing discomfort and distress. The diagnosis needs to be discussed with a physician, and a more in-depth evaluation of your personality may also be required. However, it is important to ask yourself if you have coping strat...

Understanding My Struggles: A Journey Through Mental Health Challenges

Doctor: I feel like an idiot, constantly being bullied. I've been very introverted since childhood; others say I have autism. In elementary school, my teacher publicly criticized me for being too well-behaved, which made me cry. After entering junior high, I became overweigh...

Dr. Chen Wenyu reply Psychiatry
Hello, Xiaoming: It seems that your issues primarily lie in the areas of "self-evaluation" and "interpersonal relationships." Excessive negative self-assessment can lead to unhappiness. As the saying goes, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.&q...