Long-term effects of bullying

What people say about the lasting effects of bullying into adulthood

Victims

“[I am] anti-social, unable to interact with others, sad, depressed, suicidal, negative, hate myself, hate kids, hate people”

“I am round shouldered to this day as I would hunch over to try and make myself appear less tall so I would fit in with the other kids”

“I am still scared of teenagers and feel that life was awful and that suicide could have occurred. I Also I have just begun to be myself again, and still not 100%. Therapy has gone for 15 years, the bullying lasted 2 full years…”

“Developed a bad attitude towards others, started drinking heavily at 14, wagged school and didn’t put in much effort to learn in high school. Went on to have abusive relationships.”

“Entered counselling after developing an eating disorder and continue to seek counselling for depression and issues around low self-esteem”

“At times I have overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and anxiety in public. There are times when I want to spend weeks without leaving the house, doing so only if I absolutely have to. At these times it is more difficult to find a job and certainly experience anxiety about meeting new people.”

“I never stood up to anyone, ever. I married someone who dominates me and I became a doormat for the world. I have a good life, but I certainly don’t voice my opinion, or demand anything. I am the consummate coping individual. I avoid conflict at all costs, and this achieves nothing but frustration and anger for me.”

“I still think about killing that first person that picked on me.”

Bullies

“Surprise that no teacher stopped me and explained to me how immature and pointed out that the conflict was within me and not somebody else.”

“I’m kind of embarrassed about the whole thing. I know I’ve hurt people’s feelings in the past and I feel bad about causing maybe lasting grief or pain.”

“Ashamed. I still do today, I have attempted a few times to sincerely apologise to the girl now 13 years later yet I chickened out all three times.”

“I recall that I was behaving indecently and knew it was wrong – not from what parents/ teachers had said, just by seeing or empathising with the reactions from my torment I emitted upon this person but the more they squealed, the more I could push the situation. If I allowed them to breath between the micro moments – it was like a seismic wave.”

“sometimes I would feel no remorse and want to keep going (when I had support) but others I would simply walk away.”

“I feel awful about myself and really stupid for picking on those who cannot stand up for themselves. It was really shameful.”