Social Bullying Causes Depression And Anxiety

If you thought that the effects of bullying disappear as soon as your child gets out of school, you are horribly mistaken. Social bullying like circulation of rumors and gossiping could prove to be more harmful than bruises or black eyes suffered in a school fight. The psychological effects of this social type of bullying extend long beyond the school days and linger into early adulthood. This leads to depression and anxiety even when the victim has attained adulthood.

Recent studies reveal that there is a connection between “relational victimization" in adolescence and depression and anxiety in early adulthood. Instead of going physical, like threatening a child with physical violence, social bullying tries to undermine a child's social standing and relationships by making them pariahs, keeping them out of social activities or spreading rumors that can hurt.

Researches conducted at the University of Florida under lead author Allison Dempsey have observed that even though people are outside of high school, the memories of these experiences continue to be associated with depression and social anxiety. According to him, these relationships still exist even though they are in early adulthood now and in a completely different setting.

In fact, social bullying in both childhood and adulthood can cause depression and anxiety among victims. Social bullying can be of various types such as eroding a person's social status to tear it down, damaging a person's relationships by avoidance, harming a person's reputation by spreading rumors, and keeping a person away from social activities.

Girls are no exception to this trend either as they also take part in social bullying in equal numbers. No gender difference has been found in by researchers as far as the link between social bullying and anxiety and depression are concerned. Studies have revealed that although boys tend to be more physical, girls also indulge in relational victimization.

More disturbingly, it has also been noticed that having friends or other positive social relationships did little to lessen rates of depression and anxiety in adulthood. Although some children can fight the problem having friends and positive support, many others take the words and abuse more to heart and begin to believe what's being said about them.

Social bullying among adults can also create depression and anxiety. It can take place anywhere, but it is mostly found in the workplace. The main features of adulthood bullying usually include threat to professional status and personal standing, isolation, demoralization through various means etc. In fact, an adult might face social bullying from a neighbor, a church member or even friends. The methods of such bullying are many, and all highly potent.

Studies of social bullying during adulthood have revealed that it leads to anxiety and mild depression. But if such behavior continues, there are likelihoods of anxiety disorders and clinical depression as well.

In order to overcome such effects, you should realize that bullying is far from an acceptable behavior, whether at school or at work, and that it was never your fault.

Rather, you should think that although you might have been targeted for 'special treatment,' it doesn't mean you're worthless, unlikable or unacceptable. One of the best ways to get rid of such depression and anxiety is building your self esteem and sense of self worth by trying to fulfill some set goals. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can also help a person come out of such a situation.

• Matt Thompson
• 10/02/2009, 2:59 PM
• 0 Comments