Bullying and Your Health
According to Field ([2002-2004, Web site (accessed 21/08/06): www.bullyonline.org/workbully/amibeing.htm):
‘Bullying causes injury to health and makes you ill. How many of these symptoms do you have?
Constant high levels of stress and anxiety
Frequent illness such as viral infections especially flu and glandular fever, colds, coughs, chest, ear, nose and throat infections (stress plays havoc with your immune system)
Aches and pains in the joints and muscles with no obvious cause; also back pain with no obvious cause and which won’t go away or respond to treatment
Headaches and migraines
Tiredness, exhaustion, constant fatigue
Sleeplessness, nightmares, waking early, waking up more tired than when you went to bed
Flashbacks and replays, obsessiveness, can’t get the bullying out of your mind
Irritable bowel syndrome
Skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot, ulcers, shingles, urticaria
Poor concentration, can’t concentrate on anything for long
Bad or intermittently-functioning memory, forgetfulness, especially with trivial day-to-day things
Sweating, trembling, shaking, palpitations, panic attacks
Tearfulness, bursting into tears regularly and over trivial things
Uncharacteristic irritability and angry outbursts
Hyper vigilance (feels like but is not paranoia), being constantly on edge
Hypersensitivity, fragility, isolation, withdrawal
Reactive depression, lethargy, hopelessness, anger, futility and more
Shattered self-confidence, low self-worth, low self-esteem, loss of self-love, etc.
According to Witheridge (2001: 9), depression, suicidal thoughts and divorce are reported as being common symptoms or phenomena and children often receive less attention. Indeed it is not uncommon, suggests Witheridge (2001: 9), for the victim to have murderous thoughts about their abuser. Yet ironically and unfortunately for those who are severely affected, suicide is a more likely outcome as these thoughts are turned inwards towards the self.