From Hurtful Words to Harmful Patterns: Understanding Bullying
Have you ever questioned whether someone’s actions towards you are bullying or just unkind behaviour?
Not every unpleasant interaction is bullying. Imagine a situation where two coworkers or school friends engage in a heated argument, during which one of them says something hurtful. While this may be unkind or upsetting, it is not bullying.
Bullying involves repeated, intentional behaviour designed to cause harm, distress, intimidation, or humiliation. It’s a pattern of behaviour that often includes an imbalance of power, where the person bullying holds some form of control over the victim.
Bullying can occur anywhere. In schools, it may look like name-calling, social exclusion, or physical aggression. In workplaces, it may take the form of micromanagement, public humiliation, or unfair treatment. Within families, bullying can involve emotional manipulation or control. Online platforms are increasingly becoming a common domain for bullying, with cyberbullying allowing harmful behaviour to exist beyond physical boundaries.
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
People who engage in bullying behaviour might do so to feel a sense of control or power, often because they feel insecure or powerless in other areas of their lives. Others may have learned bullying behaviours from their environment, such as family dynamics or social influences. In some cases, individuals may lack empathy or understanding of how their actions affect others.
For those experiencing bullying, the impact can be profound. It can lower their self-esteem, heighten feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and even cause physical symptoms like headaches, eating problems, or trouble sleeping. Over time, the emotional and physical scars can affect every aspect of their life, including personal relationships, academic performance, and career success.
If you or someone you know is being bullied or is engaging in bullying behaviours, it’s essential to seek help and support. For those who have been bullied, counselling can help rebuild self-esteem, build resilience, and develop effective coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety. Counsellors can support individuals in setting boundaries and learning assertive communication skills to protect themselves in the future. For individuals engaging in bullying behaviours, counselling is just as important. It offers an opportunity to explore the underlying reasons behind their actions while building empathy and developing healthier ways of interacting with others.
Bullying is NOT acceptable in any form or any environment. Whether it happens at school, in the workplace, at home, or online, it is important to stand up against bullying and create safe, respectful spaces for everyone.