8 Tips To Overcome Bullying Aftermath
Unfortunately, there are many children and teenagers who are bullied in schools, both physically and psychologically. This harassment produces significant emotional suffering in victims, which must be addressed. In the following lines, we will see some tips to improve or overcome the after-effects of bullying .
It is important that these situations are reported. After getting out of this situation, it is essential to seek professional help to treat the psychological sequelae that this harassment has caused in the victim. Here, we’ll give you some tips to try to help, but this will never replace the help of a professional.
The sequelae of bullying: definition and analysis of the phenomenon
When we talk about bullying, we are referring to harassment or physical or psychological abuse by one or more aggressors against a victim. Unfortunately, this is a situation that is occurring more and more frequently among children and adolescents and that is traumatic for them.
The victim suffers not only during bullying , but also afterwards, because of the psychological consequences that bullying usually leaves. These can manifest through anxiety, nightmares, insecurity, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, somatization, etc.
The important thing to end bullying is, in addition to treating the victim because of the emotional damage suffered, also treating the aggressors so that they do not commit this act again. Often, bullies are insecure people who seek to feel superior through the humiliation of those they consider inferior.
Tips for overcoming the after-effects of bullying
It would be convenient to work with both parties (victim and offender). Next, we’ll focus on the victim and give some tips for overcoming the after-effects of bullying .
Ask for psychological help
First, it is necessary to ask for professional help if the child or adolescent needs it. Sometimes, these situations are very traumatic for them and the help of a mental health specialist is needed to overcome the fears, anxiety and emotional consequences of this bullying , in general.
It can be very difficult to try to solve everything yourself without help, as we don’t have the proper tools for this. We can request the professional help needed in our case, whether medical, psychiatric, psychological, etc.
Understand that it’s not the victim’s fault
Children and adolescents who are victims of bullying often feel guilt, but that’s neither healthy nor realistic. The victim is never to blame for bullying , even if he thinks that way.
Therefore, we must help our children to be aware that the fault is always the one who hurts and that these thoughts of guilt will only harm them.
accept the experience
To overcome the after-effects of bullying, it is important to accept the situation that was experienced. With this, we do not mean that we are going to forget what happened, but that it is necessary to accept what happened and that the situation has already passed and does not need to repeat itself.
A mental health professional can help us reach this acceptance, as he or she will provide the right strategies to control emotions and for pain to evolve.
Moving away from the negative thoughts left by the after-effects of bullying
After this harassment situation, victims may present negative thoughts (of insecurity, self-destructive, fears, etc.) recurrently. If these thoughts incapacitate and produce significant discomfort for children and adolescents, it is important that they are dealt with with the help of a professional, as they are the ones who can provide resources to block this type of thinking.
express how you feel
It is very important to express all the emotions felt, whether they are positive or negative. This is a way of understanding what was experienced and its effects. By analyzing feelings and emotions, it is possible to move on and feel better and better.
Get away from resentment
When someone harms us, we often have feelings of revenge and anger against that person, but this feeling only intensifies the suffering experienced. So it’s important to let go of the resentment and accept the situation. This will allow the child or teenager to progress in their recovery process.
empower yourself
It must be clear to victims that they are true, special and valued people, that they deserve all the good that life can offer and that, even if they have lived through such a traumatic situation, they must trust themselves and that, with effort and self-confidence, they can achieve whatever they set out to do.
transform the pain
Pain is an emotion that produces suffering, but it also has a positive side, as it has the ability to make us fight and strive to change the things that cause this pain. We can transform this pain into art (painting, poetry, sculpture, etc.). The important thing is to focus on something that makes us feel good, not the pain.
About the sequels of bullying
The tips to overcome the consequences of bullying that we present can be very useful to face the traumatic situation that the child or teenager went through, although they can never replace the guidance provided by a professional.
It is important to observe our child and be aware of the signs that may be given by his behavior and, thus, decide which path to choose. Above all, it is necessary for us to give support, love, affection and company. This will help your recovery.
