www.jupiterimages.comThree teen girls gossiping, one separate and left out.
By Becca Bub
Senior, Wyoming Seminary
Bullying in school, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, has a major impact on people's lives, from preschool to adulthood.
While the immediate effects of bullying, which can range from a black eye to hurt feelings, are traumatic, the effects of bullying can traumatize a person even more later in life. People who were bullied in early childhood often have a lot of social anxiety in adulthood.
According to Christine Wasser, a therapist at St. Joseph Medical Center, many of her patients connect their social anxiety to being bullied as children.
"People who were constantly bullied as a child often avoid social situations in fear that they will be made fun of again," Wasser said.
Also, many cases where students have resorted to violence were a result of bullying.
According to Paula Bub, my mom and a therapist at the Reading Hospital Center for Mental Health, bullying may contribute to other mental disorders as well, such as depression and possible substance abuse.
Additionally, "victims may have problems forming appropriate adult relationships. These are the same people who often find themselves in abusive relationships, either physical or emotional," Bub said.
Another common long-term effect of bullying is constant low self esteem.
According to recent studies and tests, people with low self esteem often were made fun of or had social problems early in life.
They have difficulty asserting themselves and communicating their needs appropriately. This often leads to an increased sense of anxiety, depression and repressed anger.
Here's something surprising. The bullies, too, may suffer long-term effects of their behavior, the therapists said. If the bullying is allowed to continue, studies indicate that bullies will display conduct disorders, according to Wasser. Conduct disorders may take the form of vandalism and other crimes, often involving intimidation of others. Without treatment, bullies typically have a difficult time sympathizing and empathizing with others. This leads to serious relationship problems, much like the people who are victims of bullying. Ultimately, the teenage bully may become an abusive spouse or abusive parent. In the end, both the bullies and the victims of bullying suffer long-term consequences.