Each bullying experience is unique and fortunately not all bullying experiences are traumatic. However, many victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as a result of their bullying experience. Other are so traumatised by their ongoing experience or by their past bullying experience that they attempt or commit suicide. Bullying is sometimes not taken seriously but it can have a deep emotional impact on a victim of bullying.
There is ‘big T’ trauma and there is ‘little t’ trauma. In other words, there are big traumas and there are less severe traumas. Being bullied can be traumatic and is now being more and more recognised as a trauma. Fortunately, being bullied will not be traumatic for everyone. However, it can have long-lasting traumatic impacts on many victims. Many factors will determine the severity of the bullying impact: how long you were bullied, at what frequency you were bullied, the emotional support you had during your ordeal, previous bullying experience (s), personal and family history of issues such as anxiety and depression, to name but a few.
Richard Schwindt is a Canadian social worker and therapist in psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. He himself has experienced workplace bullying. In his book Emotional Recovery from Workplace Bullying: A Guide for Targets and their Supports, he writes the following:
All the symptoms listed above by the therapist Richard Schwindt may lead to trauma and PTSD. Many memories from the past may come back to haunt you. Your amygdala (region of the brain that controls emotions) can be overactive. You may have to deal with many triggers that remind you of your traumatic experience. You may develop acute anxiety.
I’ve personally experienced PTSD symptoms. The latter have been debilitating at times but with adequate therapy and self-care, I’ve been able to manage these symptoms. And so can you. Never believe or accept that you are broken. You may struggle to heal from your trauma but rest assured that you will. Never forget that you are a resilient being.
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