Bullying and Victimization

The cases of bullying have been rising for the past few years. It's known as a form of abuse, whether physical or mental, that can take place at various stages of a person's life. "Bullying is any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths… that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm" (Board on Children et al., 2014). The definition implies the fact that the persecutor has the intention of harming someone through their actions and words. As well as that the one who is bullying seems to want the victim to know who has the upper hand; meaning that the "aggressor" has the power over the victim.

Characteristics of bullying

According to research and study, bullying has been characterized into two modes - direct bullying and indirect bullying.

Direct bullying - this is where bullying occurs while a targeted young person is present. Physical and verbal hostility that is an overt display of authority.

Indirect bullying - social ties are secretly manipulated in a way that harms or excludes the victim. a peer being excluded by others due to rumors being propagated or peer pressure.

As mentioned above, the bullies seem to have more power over the victims, this could be due to them deriving the power from seemingly physical advantage - which is from either strength/size or just from a social advantage. According to a recent study, kids with unique medical requirements were more likely to experience victimization, whereas kids with persistent behavioral, emotional, or developmental issues were more likely to engage in bullying others or to experience both bullying and victimization.

Another component that has been noticed is that as the bullying is first placed out, it continuous and is repeated over and over and each time it is enhanced. Because of this the victim is also not able to report to an authority owing to the fear of being bullied again. Research has also shown that - bullying has a destructive problem: Children who bully are learning to dominate and torment others with their strength and hostility; victims of bullying grow more helpless and unable to protect themselves.

Signs and symptoms

Bullying and victimization has been through a lot of misconceptions. In view of this, it still hinders the fact that these misconceptions are still ongoing and a lack of recognition about bullying as a chronic problem. Research has shown that the bully may be relating to a some sort of health problem - giving a strong connection between them. The victims may later develop many health issues and disorders that are impossible to get rid of.

Due to the hidden nature of bullying and the shame and anxiety associated with revealing experiences of victimization, early signs of health issues and their possible connection to bullying may go unnoticed by parents and physicians. The symptoms of bullying and victimization, which may be the health indictors, are shown below.

The symptoms of the victim or the child being bullied include:

• Depressive symptoms
• Anxiety symptoms
• Absenteeism from school, refusal to attend school
• A drop in school grades and performance
• Difficulty sleeping
• Suicidal thoughts (which may a little hard to notice at first)

The symptoms of the bully include:

• Alcohol and substance use
• Poor school performance
• Increasingly aggressive
• Blame others for their problems
• Gets detention frequently
• Have an unexplained amount of money or other belongings.

Consequences of bullying

Research has shown that the effects of bullying someone is more likely to cause the victim including depression, ptsd, anxiety, agoraphobia, panic disorder, low self-esteem, headaches, stomach pain, sleeping problems, poor appetite, school avoidance and a drop in school grades. Research also found that bullying may cause an increase in suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.

Bystanders have been described feeling uneasy and insecure. These emotions are caused, in part, by reprisal worries that frequently discourage witnesses from requesting assistance. Individuals who have witnessed bullying show higher signs of social sensitivity, hopelessness, and possibly suicide thoughts than their counterparts who have not.

Along with that, research also has it that the ones who bullied others and their peers were more than likely to engage in criminal activity, and criminal convictions as young adults. Boys who bullied others regularly were at a higher chance of becoming criminals later in life if their psychiatric symptoms were severe.

How to manage and heal from bullying

While symptoms or injuries requiring urgent treatment must be adequately treated, addressing the root cause of peer interactions is necessary for long-term solutions for controlling bullying involvement. Bullies may need treatments to cease their aggressive behavior, encourage empathy, prosocial behavior, and lessen bullying reinforcement patterns among their peers. Victimized children may require assistance in learning aggressive techniques as well as opportunities and skills for friendship.

In the best ways of helping the kids being bullied, it is a multidisciplinary effort and act. This process involves the help of teachers, parents, physicians and mental health professionals. In these interventions, the doctor's duties may include assisting other adults in identifying the physical and psychological symptoms connected to bullying involvement, pointing parents in the direction of resources, speaking up for the kids before school officials or other community organizations, making appropriate referrals to treatment facilities, and encouraging parents to actively monitor their kids and involve them in positive school and community activities.

In the case of healing from the victim's side it may take a lot of time for them to be able to go back socializing and do other activities. The kids being bullied may have choices that can help them overcome the bullies' attacks and avoid being their targets. The choices include: putting up a fight, defending themselves, and bringing the bullying to the attention of the relevant parties. However, the best possible way to cope with bullying and after the bullying has long stopped is through therapy, letting out their thoughts or feelings to a loved one, reading a book that empowers them to do the right thing.

Summary

It is a difficult case and a hard time for the child being bullied and when the child has nothing to do about it out of fear. It may be even harder for the parents to hear about their being bullied in school, not just in schools but other places as well. With the rising cases of kids being bullied, it is even much more crucial to put a stop to this and raise awareness. The parents, physicians and other health professionals play an important role in promoting the health of children.

The promotion of healthy relationships and societal change can be sparked by doctors if they have a greater awareness of bullying as a health issue and a desire to recognize and help children who are at risk of these relationship issues. With the realization of the symptoms of bullying, the best way to swing around the damage done to the ones bullied will take time. Standing up to those targeting them, rebuilding their confidence and self-esteem, and many forms of therapy will help them heal over time. Just one thing to note is let the wounds, both internal and external, heal with time and not rush anything, as the kids may have developed several disorders along the way of bullying.