Quote:
Originally Posted by prefabsprout
I repectfully disagree that it doesn't get better, that has not been my experience (I was bullied over 30 years ago now).
That said, I do believe bullying has long term effects on many people, and I think many of us can identify with what you write about. We cope at the time in the best way we can but as children we don't have the knowledge or experience that we do as adults - often the way we cope is by shutting others out, and that can be a hard habit to break. I think it's common to have problems making connections is adulthood - and it can be isolating and distressing.
I would personally recommend reading up on the long term effects of bullying, so you can better understand your own reactions:
4 common long-term effects of being bullied
What you are feeling is valid - and I think this expression of anger is normal too, it could be a sign that you are ready to address this issue and begin to heal those wounds. |
I have at least 3 of those 4 symptoms. It just makes me so angry that I had to go through that. I didn't deserve that and I did nothing to bring that onto myself. My self-esteem has never recovered and I have social anxiety as well as self-image problems now. I remember being called ugly and laughed at on a daily basis. I remember guys in the classroom telling girls that they should be my girlfriend and the girls laughing and saying "eww". I remember when they convinced a girl to falsely accuse me of touching her inappropriately (luckily I didn't get in trouble for it, but I could have). I hate that when I look back on my childhood, I was a victim. I won't be anyone's victim ever again though. If anyone tries to bully me now then I'm going to react violently.