Bullying is a genuine issue that affects people in profound ways, both in the short term and over the long haul. It’s important to understand these impacts to better support those who experience it. This lesson dives into how bullying can immediately and lastingly affect individuals and communities, shedding light on its complex consequences for everyone involved.

-Short-term and long-term effect on victims and bullies

Physical Health

The effects of bullying on physical health can manifest immediately through physical injuries, or they can lead to long-term issues like headaches, sleep disturbances, or somatization. However, distinguishing long-term physical consequences of bullying from those caused by anxiety or other adverse childhood experiences can be challenging, as both may have lasting effects into adulthood. The emotional impact of bullying often manifests in somatic disturbances, which are physical symptoms arising from stress or emotional strain. These symptoms, such as sleep disorders, digestive issues, headaches, palpitations, and chronic pain, are common manifestations of stress and anxiety. Bullying can really have an impact emotionally, often showing up as physical symptoms like trouble sleeping, digestive problems, headaches, heart palpitations, or chronic pain. These are common signs that stress and anxiety are affecting someone. These are called somatic symptoms.

Mental Health

As mentioned before, the emotional impact of bullying often manifests in somatic disturbances, which are physical symptoms arising from stress or emotional strain. These symptoms, such as sleep disorders, digestive issues, headaches, palpitations, and chronic pain, are common manifestations of stress and anxiety. Bullying can also affect the victim by lowering their self-esteem, which takes a lot of time and effort to rebuild.

Academic Performance

Some bullying victims experience lower academic attainment as shown by grades or results on standardized tests. Bullying has a harmful correlation with academic success that is visible as early as kindergarten and persists through high school. Bullying significantly impacts academic performance by creating stress and anxiety, which can lead to difficulty concentrating in class and completing assignments. Victims may also skip school to avoid bullies, resulting in missed lessons and falling grades. Over time, this negative cycle can destroy self-esteem and delay long-term educational success.

In the end, bullying leaves a lasting impact on individuals and society, influencing both the present and the future. While it’s clear that bullying can cause immediate distress and affect academic performance right away, it’s the long-term effects that really highlight the seriousness of the problem. From lasting emotional scars to broader issues like reduced productivity and increased mental health challenges, bullying calls for us to take action.