Bullying Exerts Psychiatric Effects into Adulthood
Bullying is present in childhood and adulthood
Both bullies and victims are at risk for the following psychiatric problems:
Anxiety
Depression
Substance Abuse
Suicide when they become adults
For children who were bullied, victims had four times the prevalence of agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, and panic disorder they became adults.
Bullies had four times the risk of developing antisocial personality disorder, according to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Bully-victims, also known as "loners", start out with less developed social skills and are seen as more impulsive and aggressive.
This study concluded that more than half of the youth reported being neither a bully nor a victim.
Bullying is a repetitive, aggressive act done to abuse or intimidate others.
Bullying can take on several different forms:
Physical
Cyberbullying
Emotional
Verbal
Bullying is where there is a power imbalance and is usually involved in which one child or a group of children torments another child who is considered "weaker."
About a quarter of the study group claimed they were victimized and about 7% admitted to being the bully. A similar percentage said they were both, "bully-victims."
Victims report the greatest anxiety problems.
Bullies are socially adept and may find ways in adulthood to use these skills in a pro-social manner.
Bully-victims end up having the most significant emotional problems including suicidality.
Sydney Meyer