Long-term Damage of Bullying Finally Being Recognized

An editorial by Paul Fanlund in the progressive outlet The Cap Times drives home one of the more "hidden" dangers of bullying – and it is the same point I make every chance I get; when someone gets bullied – regardless of there age – the body and mind react to it as if it was a physical attack and there are long-term consequences that are a result.

Victims of bullying are affected mentally, physically and emotionally. The lead researcher on the study mentioned, Duke University psychiatry professor William Copeland, said that the researchers were "surprised at the strength of the findings."

The study covered 1,400 kids, ages 9 to 16, then followed up with them when they were between 19 and 26. As has been mentioned multiple times on this site and in the book, "Bullies Suck", victims of bullying were FOUR TIMES more likely to have emotional problems as adults; the bullies themselves, or the people who were both bully and victim, there symptoms were as severe or worse.

Further into the article, one social worker from a school district, who used her own statistics from students who were bullied, said that her study showed that even kids who witness bullying are affected by the incident. She also said that it was because of these incidences that kids were learning that bullying is NOT okay and to try and do something about it. She went on to say that several factors seemed to contribute to being the target of bullying; things like appearance, gender, race, sexual orientation and more. The article goes on to praise that awareness about bullying has grown since the horrible Columbine shooting in 1999.

Couple of takeaways:

1. This study further drives home what I wrote in the book, "Bullies Suck" and why I have specific tools dedicated just to dealing with the emotional impact of being bullied.  Why the academic world is just waking up to the fact that the body and brain treats any sort of interpersonal attack – be it physical, mental or emotional – the same as it would combat stress is amazing to me. Look at people who witness or are involved with traumatic experiences like combat, car accidents, assaults, robberies and so on. These people have been proven to be more at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression and more. Being a victim or witness to bullying – to the body and mind – is just as traumatic and can lead to similar problems.

2. Also mentioned in the book – appearance is a major factor in being bullied. One of my distance mentors has a great saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover – but everybody does." As unfair as it is, people DO judge others by appearances and if you or your child are too different, you stand out; if you stand out, you can be selected as a target. Yes, we want to be individuals and "stand up for something", but the reality is that appearances and perceived differences DO matter.

This means that the tools and philosophies in the book, "Bullies Suck" and in the Ultimate Bullying Solution Society Members Newsletter is more important than ever. You want to be prepared mentally, physically and emotionally to handle bullying, whether you are the victim or the witness. More and more evidence is being revealed that drives this point home.

Check out the books, "Bullies Suck" today if you haven't already.

Stay strong,

Sensei

P.S. – If you'd like to get a copy of the book for F-R-E-E, there is two days left on the promotional period on Amazon. CLICK HERE to get the F-r-e-e Kindle Book.