by Emily Bosman (Intern) and Dean Harrison (Counselling Psychologist)
'Bullying is a right of passage.' 'Something most children experience at some point in their lives.' 'It toughens them up.' 'They get over it.' You have probably heard this kind of reasoning at some stage. Bullying, however, can have serious and long-lasting repercussions.
Being bullied increases a person's risk of mental health problems that often continue to wreak havoc on a person's life, long after the bully has exited the picture.
Negative Self Talk
Words have impact. When a person has been exposed to negative, humiliating comments (verbal abuse) over time, they might begin to repeat this rhetoric in their own mind. This seed of insidious self-degradation, once planted, is difficult to overcome.
The negative self-talk and shame born from the experience of being bullied can chip away at a person’s self-esteem. Left unaddressed, it will ultimately effect the way they perceive themselves. It will undermine their identity, self-worth and quality of life. This is known as internalised bullying.
Ultimately, although your bullying might have originated from a family member, partner, colleague, or classmate, it’s entirely possible that now your biggest bully is, in fact, you.
How To Be More Confident?
People engaging in internalised bullying see themselves, at least to some extent, as defective. As not enough. This can manifest itself in many ways, including:
Social withdrawal,
Engaging in obsessive thinking and/or compulsive behaviours,
Unexplained physical symptoms, (i.e., headaches/stomach aches not due to a medical condition),
Negative body image,
Under or over-achievement,
Continual self-monitoring,
Nervousness, irritability, defensiveness, shame, anger, or bitterness,
Becoming psychologically abused or remaining in an abusive relationship,
Truancy, dropping out of school or workplace absenteeism,
Conflicts with the law,
Substance abuse,
A fear of intimacy, low or lack of sex drive or celibacy, and
Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.
Psychological therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, can help a person reframe the way. Learn to change that critical inner voice into a more compassionate one. Obtain help to process unresolved feelings of shame. Therapy can build resilience, confidence and self-worth. Therapy can also improve your relationships, work performance and quality of life. Is it time you stood up to the bully within you?
Want help?
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing difficulty with low self-esteem, confidence, bullying, harassment or victimisation, support is available. If you need further assistance please contact iflow psychology or book an appointment. You can book an appointments online, or by calling my friendly admin staff on 02 6061 1144.
iflow psychology offers in-person (face-to-face), telehealth and telephone counselling. We are registered psychologists. We also offer Medicare Rebates when you have a doctors referral and Mental Health Plan. We would love to be part of your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Location Details: iflow psychology is located in Leichhardt Inner West Sydney NSW Australia
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article are suggestions only. It is always advisable to speak with your treating doctor and health professionals before making changes. This is particularly important if you have health concerns or have existing medical conditions.
(c) 2021 Dean Harrison