[QUOTE=bluebicycle;5527734]So I'm having difficulties trying to figure out what you would call this negative experience that I'm about to talk about. I don't want to call it "trauma" because it is nowhere near being traumatic, such as CSA or anything like that. But I'm looking for the right word and looking for the best way to bring it up. (And I apologize if this is long.)

You were 100% bullied. The fact that they did it behind the teachers' backs shows they knew exactly what they were doing. They were able to assault you and yet you got in trouble only make matters worse. It IS a traumatic experience that usually follows the victim into adulthood. As the mom of two boys who were bullied I know your pain. All kids want is to fit in. One of my boys took it for so long and then he lashed out and would fight back when assaulted. Of course the teachers didn't see anything. So when asked if he did it he would say yes because he was taught not to lie. The other kid would always lie and since the can't punish what they don't see only my son was punished. He was suspended 2x and was expelled but I fought to let him finish the year. He was not allowed to play sports (his passion) nor participate in gym.

My other son internalized it for so long. Then one day in class he made suicidal statements in class and told the teacher it was because of the teasing.