Why bullying is a problem?

Asked by Anonymous
Answered
04/28/2021

            Bullying is something that is often associated with school-age years, but it is actually something that can occur at any age in life.  Bullying can differ in severity and thus have differing impacts, but it is definitely a problem regardless of the severity.  Bullying signals problems within the bully and also causes problems for the target of the bully. 

            When someone bullies others, there is typically something wrong in their own life that they are trying to distract from.  Some bullies have issues occurring at home and find that bullying others gives them a distraction. They also find that they can avoid their own pain by bullying others and somewhat put it onto others.  Doing so can sometimes be quite addictive for bullies because, at the moment, it feels better than facing the issues in their life.  However, it can repress these emotions in the long term, which can cause them to explode someday.  Also, if a bully does get in the habit of not addressing their issues and taking things out on others, it can lead to great difficulties in their lives.  For example, loss of jobs, loss of relationships, and even abusive tendencies could form if a bully does not address their bullying behaviors. 

            When someone is bullied, they can easily take on the negative feelings caused by the bullying.  When bullied, people often struggle with low self-esteem, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and many other negative symptoms.  If someone is bullied often enough, it can lead to severe mental health issues that can be difficult to live with.  When bullied, it can be helpful to recognize why someone bullies rather than take on what the bully is saying and/or doing.  For example, if a bully is insulting their target, it can be helpful to think about why the bully needs to do that rather than to believe what the insult is. 

            Bullying is something that should always be addressed, no matter the severity.  When it is not addressed, it can lead to many bigger issues that could be avoided if it is quickly addressed.  Addressing bullying can be a great way to stop hate in the world and help those that need help. 

(MA, LPC, NCC)