Bullying and Anxiety Disorders: The Lifelong Impact of Childhood Trauma
As a health and mental health expert, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact that early-life bullying and trauma can have on an individual's mental and physical well-being. Childhood is supposed to be a time of carefree joy, but for many children, it can be a time of anxiety, fear, and very traumatic experiences.
Research has shown that experiencing bullying and trauma during childhood can lead to a variety of mental health disorders later in life, including anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In this article, I will expose the lifelong impact of childhood trauma, its link to anxiety disorders and bad diet/lifestyle habits.
Bullying and Childhood Trauma
Bullying is a common experience during childhood, with approximately 20-30% of school-aged children reporting bullying.
Bullying can take many forms, including physical aggression, verbal aggression, harassment, emotional abuse, and social exclusion. Bullying can also happen in family settings. The effects of bullying can be particularly severe when it occurs frequently, involves physical or sexual assault, or is perpetrated by a person in a position of power. It may potentially be worse during early childhood when children are still developing their sense of self and social skills.
Childhood trauma, in any form, can result from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, or even household dysfunction (alcoholism, drug abuse, etc.).
When left unresolved, trauma can lead to a variety of mental health disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression later in life, as well as substance abuse.
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Mental Health
One of the most significant impacts of bullying is its potential to cause trauma.
Research has shown that experiencing bullying and trauma during childhood can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual's mental health.
Studies found that individuals who experienced childhood trauma were at increased risk for developing anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorders, depression, and other mental health disorders later in life.[1,2]
As a result of constantly activated stress responses, trauma can alter brain development and functioning and can result in maladaptive coping mechanisms, leading to difficulties with emotion regulation, impulse control, and decision-making. This can make it more difficult for individuals to manage stress and cope with life's challenges.
In some cases, the effects of childhood trauma can persist well into adulthood, leading to chronic mental health problems, impairing social and occupational functioning, and also self-harm or disordered eating, which further exacerbate mental health issues.
The impact of childhood trauma on mental health can be long-lasting and pervasive, affecting not only the individual's psychological well-being but also their relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
“Bullying and trauma during childhood can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual’s mental health”
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders, affecting millions of people worldwide.
Anxiety disorders are characterised by feelings of excessive worry, fear, and nervousness that interfere with daily activities and can be triggered by various factors, including genetics, environmental factors, family history and life events. They can also lead to negative inner dialogues, negative emotions, rumination and sleep problems.
Symptoms of anxiety can include feelings of restlessness, excessive worrying, and panic attacks. Anxiety can also lead to physical symptoms such as tension headaches, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Childhood trauma has been identified as a risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders later in life.[3] Many researchers have confirmed that individuals who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to develop anxiety disorders as adults than those who have not experienced bullying. They also found that the more severe the trauma, the greater the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.[4,5]
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health disorder that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Bullying and childhood trauma have been identified as risk factors for the development of PTSD later in life.[6,7]
When a person is repeatedly exposed to physical or emotional harm, such as through bullying, they may experience feelings of fear, helplessness and panic, which are central to the diagnosis of PTSD. Individuals who have been bullied may also experience hypervigilance, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviours, which are common symptoms of PTSD.
Furthermore, the effects of bullying can be long-lasting and may persist even after the bullying has stopped.
Depression
Depression is another common mental health disorder associated with bullying. Children who are bullied may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, which can lead to major depressive disorder.
Symptoms of depression can include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, loss of interest in activities and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Depression can also lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and gut problems.
Trauma and negative health outcomes in adulthood infographic
Diet and Lifestyle Habits
Trauma can also have a negative impact on an individual's physical health, leading to bad diet and lifestyle habits. Studies have found that individuals who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to engage in risky health behaviours, such as smoking and substance abuse[8], while others may become withdrawn and isolated, avoiding social situations and physical activity.
Trauma can also lead to emotional and binge eating, which can result in weight gain and other health problems. Emotional eating is a coping mechanism that some individuals use to deal with stress and negative emotions. It involves eating in response to emotions rather than hunger.[9]
Other people use control over their bodies as a form of control over their lives, and often this is translated into anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, which can lead to malnutrition, physiological problems and profound unhappiness.
Developing new habits
Diet and lifestyle habits play a critical role in coping with trauma and supporting mental well-being. A healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and (unprocessed) nutrient-dense foods can help reduce inflammation in the body and promote optimal cognitive function. Moreover, exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety levels by releasing endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.
It is also essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the effects of trauma. These can include engaging in activities that bring joy, such as hobbies or spending time with friends and loved ones.
Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can also help individuals manage their anxiety and stress levels.
Finding purpose can also be key. Joining associations to help others can have a tremendous impact on your mental well-being by giving you purpose.
Exercises, such as journalling and affirmations, can have a powerful impact on keeping you focused, grounded, hopeful and grateful by helping you to focus on yourself, your strength, and the moment present.
Discussion
While addressing the lifelong effects of bullying is essential, it may be more important to address bullying at the root of the problem.
If your child is telling you he/she is being bullied at school, immediate action must be taken and the school alerted. The school has a duty to protect your child and prevent the incident to happen again. While it may be counterproductive to expose a bully, your child will be better off than suffering in silence.
If you see your child behaving in a way that is unfamiliar, appearing withdrawn or reticent to talk about school, has difficulties eating (or just refusing to eat because he/she has no appetite) or sleeping, it is imperative that you speak to your child in a way that is understanding and non-judgemental or critical. Listen. Let your child find the words to express the way he/she feels.
DO NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE OR MAKE THREATS AGAINST THE OTHER KID.
Remember that bullies are often kids that are suffering at home or in other surroundings, where they are being bullied themselves, emotionally or physical abuse or something else altogether that is extremely traumatic. Bullying is their response to their environment and life experience in a way to gain control over their lives and emotions — to feel powerful and in control.
Have you experienced bullying?
Are you a parent with a child being bullied at school?
What are your thoughts on the article?
What measures did you take that had a positive impact on the life of your child?
Please, help other parents find the right solution for their child by adding a comment below.
References:
Arseneault, L. Bowes, L. Shakoor, S. (2010). Bullying victimization in youths and mental health problems: 'Much ado about nothing'? Psychological Medicine. 40(5), pp. 717-729. doi:10.1017/S0033291709991383
Felitti, VJ. et al. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 14(4), pp. 245-258.
McLaughlin, KA. et al. (2012). Childhood adversities and adult psychiatric disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication I: Associations with first onset of DSM-IV disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry. 69(11), pp. 113-123.
Wolke, D. et al. (2013). Impact of bullying in childhood on adult health, wealth, crime, and social outcomes. Psychological Science. 24(10), pp. 1958-1970. doi:10.1177/0956797613481608
Breslau, N. et al. (1999). Vulnerability to assaultive violence: further specification of the sex difference in post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychological medicine. 29(4), pp. 813-821.
Yehuda, R. (2002). Post-traumatic stress disorder. New England Journal of Medicine. 346(2), pp. 108-114.
Breslau, N. et al. (1998). Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in the community: the 1996 Detroit Area Survey of Trauma. Archives of General Psychiatry. 55(7), pp. 626-632.
Anda, RF. et al. (2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 256(3), pp. 174-186.
Mason, S. M. et al. (2014). Abuse victimization in childhood or adolescence and risk of food addiction in adult women. Obesity. 22(2), pp. 472-478.