Bullying is one of the most troublesome issues in adolescent social dynamics; in fact, about 1/5 of students between 12-18 years experience bullying at some point. It has significant effects on teen mental health and well-being. Repeated bullying experiences can leave teens traumatized. If this type of teen trauma is not addressed, it may progress to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can cause significant impairment.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we understand the challenges teenagers face during the formative years of adolescence. We specialize in teen mental health treatment in Arizona and provide relevant, tailored resources, support, and interventions for teens and their families. Call our team today to learn how our teen trauma program can help your loved one.
Understanding Bullying and Its Impacts
Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves intentionally harming, intimidating, or causing discomfort to another person. Bullies often perceive themselves to be socially, physically, or psychologically superior to their victims. Bullying among teens is quite rampant, and if left unaddressed, teen bullying can have severe effects on the bullied victims. Some of the common forms of bullying include:
Physical Bullying
Physical bullying relies on physical force or aggression to intimidate or assert control over an individual. It can involve different forms of physical assault, including hitting, pushing, and kicking.
Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying involves using words to demean, belittle, or inflict harm. Common types of verbal bullying include insults, name-calling, verbal threats, and teasing. This type of bullying usually harms teenagers’ self-esteem and self-worth, causing problems like anxiety and teen depression.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying may take different forms, including posting embarrassing or harmful content about someone, creating fake profiles to harass someone, or sending threats. The most dangerous aspect of cyberbullying is that it can occur at any time, making it challenging for the victim to escape it. It may also leave behind public and permanent records, causing lasting damage to a teen’s physical and mental health.
Sexual Bullying
Sexual bullying involves unwanted, uninvited, and inappropriate sexual comments, gestures, or acts on another. It may include spreading sexual rumors or sharing explicit images. This type of bullying can trigger profound emotional trauma, shame, and feelings of guilt and can lead to several mental health issues.
Immediate Emotional and Psychological Effects of Bullying
The above types of bullying can lead to the following emotional and psychological impacts:
Intense feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Diminished self-confidence and sense of self-worth.
Heightened stress levels. This can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches.
Intense feelings of anger and frustration.
Elevated sadness and hopelessness.
Isolation and withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities.
Challenges focusing on tasks.
Sleep-related problems: insomnia, disrupted sleep patterns, and nightmares.
The Link Between Bullying and PTSD
Bullying can cause trauma, which, if left unaddressed, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Along with PTSD, bullying, in general, leads to a much higher likelihood of the individual experiencing problems like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. Repeated bullying also causes feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, fear, and anger, which are closely and strongly correlated with PTSD symptoms.
Teens experiencing such symptoms may try to avoid social situations where they will be targeted or victimized. In some instances, they may engage in risk-taking and self-harm behaviors like substance abuse to numb the pain.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD in Teens
Teen PTSD can manifest behaviorally, emotionally, and psychologically, as shown below:
Behavioral Indicators
Withdrawal from friends and family
Avoiding places, people, or activities associated with the traumatic event
Reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities
Exaggerated startle response
Being overly alert or aware of surroundings
Being constantly on guard
Changes in eating and sleeping routines or habits
Increased engagement in risk-taking behaviors
Increased impulsivity or recklessness
Emotional Indicators
Heightened fear and anxiety
Panic attacks
Lack of emotional responsiveness
Feeling detached from others or surroundings
Pervasive feelings of hopelessness
Persistent sadness or crying
Frequent anger outbursts
Increased irritability
Inability to manage frustrations
Psychological Indicators
Recurrent, distressing, and involuntary memories of the traumatic event
Intense vivid flashbacks
Nightmares or disturbing dreams associated with the event
Persistent and distorted self-blame
Overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, or disgust
Persistent, intense emotional states, including horror and fear
Tests Used to Diagnose PTSD in Teens Who Have Been Bullied
UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5
This standardized test screens for PTSD symptoms and trauma exposure. It exists in two versions: self-report and clinician-administered.
Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS)
The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) is a self-report measure that assesses PTSD symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.
Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS)
This is a self-report standardized test that evaluates PTSD symptoms and exposure to traumatic events.
Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC)
This is yet another self-report test that assesses trauma-related symptoms, such as PTSD.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Although this self-report measure is mostly used for adults, it can be adapted for teens. It assesses the severity of PTSD symptoms.
Effective Therapeutic Approaches for Bullying-Related PTSD
We are committed to helping teens and families manage and overcome serious mental health challenges such as teen PTSD. This is achieved through the following therapeutic techniques:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Teen Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) recognizes the interconnection between thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. It targets negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions to help individuals change maladaptive behaviors. Here is how teen CBT can help adolescents overcome the mental turmoil of TPSD:
Help them recognize and reframe negative beliefs and distortions related to their trauma.
Expose them to trauma-related memories and situations to desensitize their emotional responses and reduce avoidance behaviors.
Teach them practical skills to manage stress and anxiety.
Encourage healthier responses to traumatic triggers.
Improve their overall resilience.
Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches teens about PTSD and its effects. This, in return, reduces stigma, shame, and self-blame.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Teen dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is premised on the belief that two opposing thoughts and ideas can exist simultaneously and both be true. It helps adolescents accept themselves while changing their behaviors. Here are a few benefits of DBT for teen PTSD:
Teach teens how to manage intense emotions associated with PTSD.
Equip teens with skills for handling distressing emotions without resorting to destructive or maladaptive behaviors.
Encourage present-moment awareness through mindfulness activities to minimize the impact of traumatic memories and dissociation.
Teach interpersonal effectiveness to help build healthier relationships and obtain necessary support.
Promote healthier coping mechanisms by identifying and modifying PTSD-related behaviors.
Teen DBT also provides teens with practical tools for managing symptoms and improving overall functioning.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a treatment approach that understands, recognizes, and responds to the effects of all traumas. Here is how trauma-informed care helps with teen PTSD treatment and management:
It prevents re-exposure to trauma by ensuring a safe and trigger-free environment.
It fosters a strong therapeutic relationship between the teen and the treatment provider, a crucial element in PTSD treatment.
It offers teens with PTSD a safe space to stabilize emotions and process traumatic memories safely.
It counteracts PTSD-related helplessness by empowering teens with choices and a sense of control.
It promotes holistic healing, thus promoting more effective and sustained PTSD recovery.
Resources and Support Systems in Arizona to Deal With Bullying
Teenage bullying victims need support because of the possible detrimental psychological, emotional, and physical effects of bullying. Let’s look at a few available resources and support systems in Arizona that can help victims of bullying.
Available Resources
Consider the following resources if your teen has recently been bullied or is experiencing the effects of bullying:
Arizona Anti-Bullying Coalition
StopBullying.gov
Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative (ACASI)
Local school anti-bullying programs
Local community centers that offer relevant workshops, support groups, and activities.
Arizona teen crisis solutions hotlines.
School and private counseling services
District anti-bullying policies and support programs
Stand Up Speak Out (SUSO) Arizona
How Nexus Teen Academy Can Help
At Nexus, we treat an array of mental health disorders as well as underlying conditions. To heal from trauma or severe bullying, our team works closely with each individual to understand their pain points and develop an individualized treatment plan for them. Here is how we help bullying victims at Nexus Teen Academy:
Offer personalized therapy sessions to address trauma and the emotional impacts of bullying.
Administer group therapy to help traumatized teens build a peer support network and improve their social skills.
Manage the effects of bullying and teach effective coping strategies through behavioral interventions.
Offer tailored academic support during treatment to help bullying victims keep up with their studies.
Empower them by teaching communication, conflict resolution, and self-advocacy skills.
Involve family members in the treatment to create a supportive home environment for the teenager post-treatment.
We also educate teens about bullying dynamics and how it impacts their mental health.
Teen Trauma Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Bullying can impact teenagers significantly and lead to serious issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, and more if left unaddressed. At Nexus Teen Academy, we are committed and well-equipped to help you and your teenager overcome different mental health challenges, including trauma-related conditions. Our clinical team, led by Hannah Carr, has decades of experience working with teens and adolescents. We utilize evidence-based and holistic treatment methods to ensure that your son or daughter gets a comprehensive approach to their recovery. Feel free to contact us if your teen is a bullying victim or if you need help, treatment, and support.
Here is how we treat teen PTSD caused by bullying:
Conduct extensive assessment and evaluation to determine the extent of the PTSD symptoms and how they impact the teenager’s life.
Administer individual, group, and family therapies to help teen bullying victims address underlying issues.
Educate victims about PTSD, bullying dynamics, and effective coping mechanisms to equip them with the right skills and knowledge to manage their symptoms.
Involve families in the treatment process through family therapy sessions. This helps address family dynamics, build a supportive network for the teenager, and improve communication.
Prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications alongside therapy to minimize symptom severity.
Promote physical and emotional healing through holistic approaches such as art therapy
We use an array of therapies to treat teens with PTSD based on their needs, the severity of their condition, and possible outcomes. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), group therapy, family therapy, and expressive therapies.
Yes. PTSD from bullying can lead to several long-term mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. It can also lead to low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and persistent guilt and self-blame.
The Link Between Bullying and Adolescent PTSD
Published On May 20, 2024
Table of Contents
Bullying is one of the most troublesome issues in adolescent social dynamics; in fact, about 1/5 of students between 12-18 years experience bullying at some point. It has significant effects on teen mental health and well-being. Repeated bullying experiences can leave teens traumatized. If this type of teen trauma is not addressed, it may progress to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can cause significant impairment.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we understand the challenges teenagers face during the formative years of adolescence. We specialize in teen mental health treatment in Arizona and provide relevant, tailored resources, support, and interventions for teens and their families. Call our team today to learn how our teen trauma program can help your loved one.
Understanding Bullying and Its Impacts
Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves intentionally harming, intimidating, or causing discomfort to another person. Bullies often perceive themselves to be socially, physically, or psychologically superior to their victims. Bullying among teens is quite rampant, and if left unaddressed, teen bullying can have severe effects on the bullied victims. Some of the common forms of bullying include:
Physical Bullying
Physical bullying relies on physical force or aggression to intimidate or assert control over an individual. It can involve different forms of physical assault, including hitting, pushing, and kicking.
Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying involves using words to demean, belittle, or inflict harm. Common types of verbal bullying include insults, name-calling, verbal threats, and teasing. This type of bullying usually harms teenagers’ self-esteem and self-worth, causing problems like anxiety and teen depression.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying may take different forms, including posting embarrassing or harmful content about someone, creating fake profiles to harass someone, or sending threats. The most dangerous aspect of cyberbullying is that it can occur at any time, making it challenging for the victim to escape it. It may also leave behind public and permanent records, causing lasting damage to a teen’s physical and mental health.
Sexual Bullying
Sexual bullying involves unwanted, uninvited, and inappropriate sexual comments, gestures, or acts on another. It may include spreading sexual rumors or sharing explicit images. This type of bullying can trigger profound emotional trauma, shame, and feelings of guilt and can lead to several mental health issues.
Immediate Emotional and Psychological Effects of Bullying
The above types of bullying can lead to the following emotional and psychological impacts:
The Link Between Bullying and PTSD
Bullying can cause trauma, which, if left unaddressed, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Along with PTSD, bullying, in general, leads to a much higher likelihood of the individual experiencing problems like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. Repeated bullying also causes feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, fear, and anger, which are closely and strongly correlated with PTSD symptoms.
Teens experiencing such symptoms may try to avoid social situations where they will be targeted or victimized. In some instances, they may engage in risk-taking and self-harm behaviors like substance abuse to numb the pain.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD in Teens
Teen PTSD can manifest behaviorally, emotionally, and psychologically, as shown below:
Behavioral Indicators
Emotional Indicators
Psychological Indicators
Tests Used to Diagnose PTSD in Teens Who Have Been Bullied
UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5
This standardized test screens for PTSD symptoms and trauma exposure. It exists in two versions: self-report and clinician-administered.
Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS)
The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) is a self-report measure that assesses PTSD symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.
Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS)
This is a self-report standardized test that evaluates PTSD symptoms and exposure to traumatic events.
Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC)
This is yet another self-report test that assesses trauma-related symptoms, such as PTSD.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Although this self-report measure is mostly used for adults, it can be adapted for teens. It assesses the severity of PTSD symptoms.
Effective Therapeutic Approaches for Bullying-Related PTSD
We are committed to helping teens and families manage and overcome serious mental health challenges such as teen PTSD. This is achieved through the following therapeutic techniques:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Teen Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) recognizes the interconnection between thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. It targets negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions to help individuals change maladaptive behaviors. Here is how teen CBT can help adolescents overcome the mental turmoil of TPSD:
Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches teens about PTSD and its effects. This, in return, reduces stigma, shame, and self-blame.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Teen dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is premised on the belief that two opposing thoughts and ideas can exist simultaneously and both be true. It helps adolescents accept themselves while changing their behaviors. Here are a few benefits of DBT for teen PTSD:
Teen DBT also provides teens with practical tools for managing symptoms and improving overall functioning.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a treatment approach that understands, recognizes, and responds to the effects of all traumas. Here is how trauma-informed care helps with teen PTSD treatment and management:
Resources and Support Systems in Arizona to Deal With Bullying
Teenage bullying victims need support because of the possible detrimental psychological, emotional, and physical effects of bullying. Let’s look at a few available resources and support systems in Arizona that can help victims of bullying.
Available Resources
Consider the following resources if your teen has recently been bullied or is experiencing the effects of bullying:
How Nexus Teen Academy Can Help
At Nexus, we treat an array of mental health disorders as well as underlying conditions. To heal from trauma or severe bullying, our team works closely with each individual to understand their pain points and develop an individualized treatment plan for them. Here is how we help bullying victims at Nexus Teen Academy:
We also educate teens about bullying dynamics and how it impacts their mental health.
Teen Trauma Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Bullying can impact teenagers significantly and lead to serious issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, and more if left unaddressed. At Nexus Teen Academy, we are committed and well-equipped to help you and your teenager overcome different mental health challenges, including trauma-related conditions. Our clinical team, led by Hannah Carr, has decades of experience working with teens and adolescents. We utilize evidence-based and holistic treatment methods to ensure that your son or daughter gets a comprehensive approach to their recovery. Feel free to contact us if your teen is a bullying victim or if you need help, treatment, and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following signs may show that your teenager is being bullied:
Here is what to do if you suspect your teen has PTSD:
Here is how we treat teen PTSD caused by bullying:
We use an array of therapies to treat teens with PTSD based on their needs, the severity of their condition, and possible outcomes. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), group therapy, family therapy, and expressive therapies.
Here are a few ways schools can prevent bullying:
Here are a few resources you can turn to if your teen frequently gets bullied:
Yes. PTSD from bullying can lead to several long-term mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. It can also lead to low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and persistent guilt and self-blame.
Here is how you can help your teenager overcome bullying-related trauma: