Can bullying cause anxiety?

Bullying is a painful experience. It can be a traumatic experience for those who are targeted. The pain of bullying can impact many aspects of the victim’s life.

Regardless of the bullying, a person is subjected to, bullying can have a long-lasting impact. Threats, cyberbullying, insults, and intimidation lead to stress and can cause feelings of isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. Some who experience bullying are later diagnosed with depression, anxiety, endure suicidal thoughts, and other issues. If you have been experiencing any suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are several anxiety-related conditions someone who is bullied may experience. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic attack disorder, social anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder are sometimes diagnosed in those who bully targets.

A generalized anxiety disorder may be diagnosed if someone is experiencing excessive worry that disrupts normal activities. For someone who has experienced bullying, that may mean that they have difficulty going into situations where bullying has occurred to the point of avoiding the environment altogether.

Panic attacks come on suddenly and involve intense feelings of fear and panic. There may be physical symptoms like rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, and even nausea. Those who experience panic attacks may notice the attacks coming on in situations that are the same or similar to the environment in which bullying has occurred. The attacks can be debilitating when they occur. This can lead to avoidance of triggering situations, which can lead to staying in to avoid more attacks. This builds on feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Social anxiety disorder involves intense worry surrounding interactions with others that can involve fear of judgment, fear of being negatively perceived by others, and others may think. Feelings of self-consciousness arise in social situations, but at such an intensity that they may start to avoid social situations altogether.

Posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD results after bullying when the target has felt very threatened by the bullying. It may involve flashbacks, nightmares, disturbed sleep, a heightened startle response, and isolation from others and places to avoid feelings of anxiety.

If you or someone you know are struggling with the impacts of anxiety after bullying or due to ongoing bullying, using relaxation techniques, meditation, and some exercise may help to manage anxiety. It’s important that the bullying situation is addressed and safety is ensured to the extent possible. Visiting with a therapist about support for yourself or connecting a loved one or your child with a therapist following bullying can be helpful in healing anxiety.

If you or your child or loved one has suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support.