The Relationship Between Bullying And Depression, And Effects On Mental Health

Medically reviewed by Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC

Updated April 18, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide or abuse which could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7. Please also see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

Bullying and depression may be linked in some cases, and abusive behavior can happen to anyone, regardless of age, and can have long-term effects, such as PTSD and depression. Studies show that it can also cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Bullying may be affecting you or someone you love

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Because abusive behavior can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health consequences, it may be valuable to learn how to identify examples of bullying and implement strategies to stop it on a global scale.

What is bullying?

You may see this behavior depicted in media as occurring in a school yard setting or only to those under 18. For example, you might have seen depictions of bullying through the TV show 13 Reasons Why or the movie Mean Girls, which documents teenage abusive behavior. You might have also experienced it as a teen or child yourself.

Whether you were a survivor or a bystander, bullying may have been a factor in your childhood. However, it is not necessarily limited to a school setting. Adults can bully other adults, and the effects of bullying in adulthood can be as severe as the ones experienced during childhood.

Bullying might target intelligence, appearance, or behaviors. Adults, children, and adolescents might be bullied for being "different" or having a disability or mental health condition. Additionally, people might be bullied because of their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. All forms can also be seen in adulthood; many people may experience bullying or hate crimes in the workplace or in their personal lives. The internet can make bullying more prevalent. Even if you avoid individuals at work, school, or in person, they might post about you, send messages, or harass you through wide-scale "canceling campaigns."

This behavior isn't necessarily limited to physical bullying. Bullying occurs when an individual is targeted, picked on, and ridiculed for any reason. It might be an isolated incident and can also happen habitually over time.

Why do people bully?

There are many reasons why people might choose to bully others. Causes of bullying can be insecurity, low self-esteem, or jealousy of the person they are targeting. They might participate in bullying because their friends are or because they see it happening online or around them daily.

Individuals who bully or act unhealthily toward others might boost their self-esteem by seeing another person feel hurt. They could feel powerful when their actions have made someone else feel sad or anxious. Bullies might act out by spreading rumors, encouraging others to ostracize their target, or employing a combination of gossip and intimidation. Group bullying may occur through "canceling" or long-term digital campaigns against an individual online. Or it may occur in group settings like a workplace or school.

People might also feel uncomfortable with what they do not understand. For example, bullying based on a disability or mental health condition can be common in school settings. If children and adolescents notice that someone looks different than them or acts differently, they might react to their fear, unease, and social pressure by bullying or being unkind. It can be important to note that abusive behavior stemming from ignorance and lack of understand is not justified.

Regardless of the cause of bullying, it can have a significant impact on the individual who is targeted (and the perpetrator), such as depression.

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Links between depressive symptoms & bullying

Bullying is linked to depression and other mental health conditions. Common signs that an individual is being regularly subjected to ridicule and mistreatment can include low self-esteem, feeling down, or losing interest in previously enjoyed activities. Children, teens, and adults can be diagnosed with depression.

Symptoms of depression include:

Changes in appetite or weight
Feeling unable to sleep or sleeping more often
Feeling worthless, hopeless, or down often
Not enjoying previously enjoyed hobbies
Physical symptoms like headaches or chronic pain
Boredom
Crying
Lack of concentration or difficulty focusing at work or school
Substance use, in some cases
Loneliness
Thoughts of suicide*

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Being bullied carries a risk of depression and suicide. It is so prevalent that the CDC has released information on how to prevent suicide caused by bullying. In these cases, suicide prevention can be necessary. However, there is hope. In 2020, 11 million individuals considering suicide did not attempt or create a plan. Another recent study showed that those who had suicidal ideation were more likely to seek support and help than those who didn't.

How to get outside support for bullying and depression

Bullying and depression may require outside support. Standing up to a bully and attempting to stop it alone may carry a greater risk than other options. If a bully is in a position of power, it could have consequences for your school and job performance. You might choose to reach out for support for depression and abuse through the following methods:

A helpline
Your parents
Peer bullying prevention groups
In-person or online counseling
A school counselor
A work-provided mental health professional

Individuals experiencing bullying and depression may also require medical or therapeutic attention. Depression is a mental health condition that impacts a person's brain chemistry and can affect how they function. Depression is treatable with the correct treatment strategy. Reach out to a counselor, doctor, or psychiatrist to learn more about treating depression.

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Counseling for abuse or depression

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or have been experiencing bullying, you're not alone. Support is available through many types of professional counseling, including in-person, online, and school and workplace therapy. You can have an open conversation with a licensed therapist through a variety of mediums, including phone, video, and live chat sessions.

Additionally, studies indicate that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy and that it can be incredibly effective in treating symptoms of depression, PTSD, or stress in those who have been bullied in the past. By connecting with a counselor, you may find that you can stop bullying from continuing and move forward with confidence.

Takeaway

Bullying is a serious occurrence that can have mental health consequences. If you or someone you know is being bullied, consider reaching out for support, whether to your parents, a friend, or another person you can trust. Bullying prevention programs and counseling provided by mental health professionals can be valuable options for those seeking help with bullying. Take the first step toward freedom from bullying and reach out to BetterHelp today.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is abusive behavior in adolescence associated with the development of mdd symptoms in adulthood?

Childhood bullying is often associated with several mental health conditions. A prospective study on the health-related effects of bullying on children aged nine to 11 found that bullied children were at an increased risk of psychosomatic and psychosocial problems.

However, the mental and physical impacts of childhood bullying don't only impact childhood. Childhood bullying increases the likelihood of depression (also known as major depressive disorder, or MDD) and anxiety in adults. A longitudinal, population-based cohort study also found a link to symptoms of psychosis. Another survey examining bullying in teenage individuals across 28 countries concluded that mental and physical impacts were connected with bullying.

How does cyberbullying affect mental health?

When bullying takes place online, it may be referred to as "cyberbullying." One study on undergraduate-level college students found that cyberbullying was linked to adverse social, emotional, and academic impacts. Cyberbullying may lead a person to be at increased risk of MDD or anxiety. Another study suggests that mental health interventions like therapy are most effective in targeting cyberbullying.

Is cyberbullying linked to MDD symptoms?

Studies show that cyberbullying is common in teens. However, it can happen in adulthood and childhood as well. Cyberbullying and other forms of bullying are linked to several mental health conditions and short and long-term consequences. The mental health risks of cyberbullying behavior can include the following symptoms and disorders:

Anxiety disorders
Major depressive disorder or MDD
Loneliness
Suicidal ideation

Those who engage in bullying behavior may also have mental health symptoms. It may be possible for someone who engages in bullying behavior to experience bullying themselves.

What is bullying?

Bullying is an action intended to harm, intimidate, and coerce another person. Bullying can be perpetrated by one person or by a group. It may involve physical and sexual assault, words, messages, rumors, and other behaviors. Additionally, bullying can be carried out in person and online.

Who can experience bullying?

Anyone can experience bullying for any reason at any time. Both children and adults can become victims of bullying in various contexts in life. Anyone of any age, gender, ability, race, sexuality, ethnicity, and background may experience bullying for various reasons.

What does MDD stand for?

Depression (or major depressive disorder, MDD) is a mental health condition that affects over 280 million individuals worldwide.It can affect anyone of any gender, age, and background. It is often characterized by a pervasive, overwhelming feeling of sadness that may or may not have a cause, and it is highly treatable.

What are the signs of MDD symptoms?

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America explains that MDD is diagnosed when an individual meets at least five out of nine symptoms in the DSM-5. These symptoms include the following:

An overwhelming and pervasive sense of sadness that doesn't go away
Feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, and recurrent thoughts of suicidal ideation
A lack of interest in activities one used to enjoy
A pronounced change in appetite
Cognitive impairments, such as significant memory loss

When these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, they may meet the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD).

What are the signs of bullying?

If you believe someone you love is experiencing bullying, Stop Bullying recommends looking out for a few warning signs. These warning signs can include:

Unexplained injuries
Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
Frequent headaches or stomach aches
Feeling sick or faking illness
Changes in eating habits
Problems with sleeping or frequent nightmares
A sudden decline in grades
A loss of interest in schoolwork
Not wanting to go to school or work
A sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

How can I get help for bullying?

The type of help you require may depend on the circumstances. If you or someone you love is experiencing bullying or discrimination in the workplace, you might want to speak to your Human Resources department or pursue legal action.

If bullying occurs at school, speak to a teacher, a school counselor, or other administrative officials. You can also seek help for bullying by finding a qualified mental health professional.

Below are a few bullying resources you can check out in addition to other forms of support:

Resources for children

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
DoSomething.org
Schools in Transition (Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying of Transgender Students)
"Be Someone's Hero" Video
KnowBullying App
Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce

Resources for adults

Depression is treatable, and you're not alone

Talk to a compassionate counselor

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.

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