What bullying does to the brain?

Content/Trigger Warning: Please be advised that the article below might mention trauma-related topics that include types of abuse & violence that could be triggering.

Bullying is an unfortunate experience many children have, which can be traumatic—unwanted, aggressive behavior between school-aged children that involves a perceived or real power imbalance. The behavior can be or is repeated over time. For kids who experience bullying, the effects can be long-lasting and life-changing.

Bullying can be verbal and include name-calling, threats, teasing, or sexual comments. Social bullying involves group or social dynamics like leaving someone out on purpose, spreading rumors about them, or intentionally embarrassing someone. Physical bullying includes hitting, spitting, and other acts of physical aggression and violence. Taking someone else’s things or breaking them can also be considered a physical form of bullying.

Researchers have long studied the impacts of trauma on the brain, and bullying is a trauma that many people experience. Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACES are a list of experiences that children may experience which have been found to contribute to problems like depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and more. ACES include forms of abuse, different experiences like having a family member with mental illness and also experiencing bullying.

Although experiencing bullying doesn’t guarantee a trauma response or negative impacts, as each person experiences things differently, the effects of bullying can be very intense for many children. Experiencing bullying causes stress hormones like cortisol, activates the fight or flight response, and has long-term impacts on overall health. The immune system can be compromised due to the stress experienced by bullying, which can negatively affect brain function.

For some people who experience chronic stress or trauma, the amygdala, or part of the brain that searches the environment for danger and then reacts accordingly with the fight or flight response, maybe larger. The larger amygdala size may mean that other stressful events may be experienced more intensely. The brain may have a more difficult time down-regulating from anxiety or stress-provoking events.

Seeking support in recovering from experiences of bullying can be very helpful. Coping skills can be learned, and some therapeutic practices can help the brain assimilate traumatic incidents, which promote a return to normal levels of stress in the body. If you’re experiencing bullying, or your child is or has experienced bullying, visit a licensed mental health professional for help.